Friday, May 5, 2023, Penumbral Eclipse Belongs to Saros Cycle 141

Summary: The Friday, May 5, 2023, penumbral lunar eclipse belongs to Saros cycle 141, a series of 73 similar lunar eclipses.

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Friday, May 5, 2023, closes Saros 141 lunar cycle's opening set of 24 penumbral lunar eclipses: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site

The Friday, May 5, 2023, penumbral lunar eclipse belongs to Saros series 141, a family of 72 lunar eclipses with similar geometries.

May's penumbral lunar eclipse begins Friday, May 5, 2023, at 15:14:10 Universal Time, according to eclipse predictions by retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak on the NASA Eclipse Web Site. Greatest eclipse, which pertains to the instant of the moon's closest passage to the axis of Earth's shadow, takes place at 17:22:51.7 UT. The eclipse ends at 19:31:41 UT.

May's penumbral lunar eclipse numbers as 24 in the lineup of 72 lunar eclipses that constitute Saros lunar cycle 141. Similar geometries place the 72 lunar eclipses into a family, known as a series.

Occurrence at the moon's descending node characterizes the 72 lunar eclipses in Saros series 141. A pair of nodes marks the two intersections of the lunar orbit with the ecliptic, Earth's orbital plane around the sun. The nodal pair derives from the approximately 5.1 degree tilt of the lunar orbit with respect to Earth's orbit. The descending node registers the moon's orbital crossing to the south of the ecliptic. The ascending node concerns the lunar orbital crossing to the north of the ecliptic.

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Monday, Aug. 25, 1608, which opened Saros lunar cycle 141's lineup of 73 similar lunar eclipses, qualifies, with a duration of 00 hours 21 minutes 08 seconds, as the cycle's shortest penumbral lunar eclipse: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site

Each succeeding eclipse in Saros 141 exhibits northward movement. The lunar eclipse of Monday, Aug. 25, 1608, opened Saros lunar series 141 as a penumbral eclipse occurring near the southern edge of the penumbra (Latin: paene, “almost” + umbra, “shadow”), the lighter, outer part of Earth's shadow. The penumbral lunar eclipse that closes Saros 141 on Monday, Oct. 11, 2888, will locate near the penumbra's northern edge.

The Saros cycle of approximately 6,585.3 days (18 years 11 days 8 hours) determines the periodicity and recurrence of eclipses in each cycle. Approximately 18 years separate each of the 72 eclipses in lunar Saros 141. Lunar Saros 141 traverses the 17th through 29th centuries. Its duration totals 1,280.14 years.

The order of lunar eclipses in Saros 141 sequences as 24 penumbral, seven partial, 26 total, seven partial and eight penumbral. With 32 occurrences, penumbrals dominate Saros 141 as the cycle's most frequent eclipse type. With 26 instances, total lunar eclipses qualify as the cycle's second-most frequent eclipse type. Third-most frequent partial lunar eclipses contribute 14 occurrences to Saros lunar series 141.

The Saros 141 cycle's opening penumbral eclipse on Monday, Aug. 25, 1608, favored Africa, Antarctica, Australia and Europe. The visibility range encompassed the entirety of the Indian Ocean and parts of Earth's other four oceans (Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific, Southern). North America and South America were excluded from the event's visibility range. Its greatest eclipse occurred in the Indian Ocean.

The Friday, May 5, 2023, penumbral eclipse numbers as the last in the set of 24 penumbral lunar eclipses initiated on Monday, Aug. 25, 1608. The May event's visibility range excludes North America and South America but touches all or much of Earth's other five continents and all or parts of Earth's five oceans. Its greatest eclipse happened in the southeastern Indian Ocean.

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Sunday, April 24, 2005, preceded the Friday, May 5, 2023, penumbral eclipse as the next-to-the-last member of the first set of penumbral eclipses in Saros lunar series 141: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site

The penumbral eclipse of Sunday, April 24, 2005, was the immediate predecessor of the May 2023 penumbral eclipse. The April 2005 penumbral eclipse numbered as 23 in the penumbral set and as 23 in the Saros 141 lineup of 72 lunar eclipses. The April 2005 penumbral lunar eclipse disfavored Africa and Europe and favored all of Australia and South America and most of Antarctica and North America. East Asia fell within the event's visibility range. The penumbral eclipse touched the entire Pacific Ocean and parts of Earth's other four oceans. The Pacific Ocean claimed the greatest eclipse's placement.

Partial lunar eclipse of Thursday, May 16, 2041, which occurs as the immediate successor of the Friday, May 5, 2023, penumbral lunar eclipse in lunar Saros 141, opens the cycle's first set of seven partial lunar eclipses: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site

A partial eclipse on Thursday, May 16, 2041, occurs as the immediate successor of the Friday, May 5, 2023, penumbral eclipse. The May 2041 lunar eclipse opens the Saros 141 cycle's set of seven partial lunar eclipses. Varying visibilities are available to all seven continents and all five oceans. Greatest eclipse will happen on the southern Atlantic Ocean.

A penumbral eclipse on Monday, Oct. 11, 2888, will close Saros lunar series 141 as the cycle's 72nd and last member and as the last of the cycle's second, closing set of eight penumbral lunar eclipses. The October event disfavors Australia and central and eastern Asia. All or parts of the other five continents and of the five oceans fall within the visibility range. Greatest eclipse will happen over southern reaches of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Monday, Oct. 11, 2888, will close Saros lunar cycle 141's lineup of 72 similar lunar eclipses: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Friday, May 5, 2023, closes Saros 141 lunar cycle's opening set of 24 penumbral lunar eclipses: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2023-05-05N.gif

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Monday, Aug. 25, 1608, which opened Saros lunar cycle 141's lineup of 72 similar lunar eclipses, qualifies, with a duration of 00 hours 21 minutes 08 seconds, as the cycle's shortest penumbral lunar eclipse: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2023-05-05N.gif

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Sunday, April 24, 2005, preceded the Friday, May 5, 2023, penumbral eclipse as the next-to-the-last member of the first set of penumbral eclipses in Saros lunar series 141: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2005-04-24N.gif

Partial lunar eclipse of Thursday, May 16, 2041, which occurs as the immediate successor of the Friday, May 5, 2023, penumbral lunar eclipse in lunar Saros 141, opens the cycle's first set of seven partial lunar eclipses: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2041-05-16P.gif

Penumbral lunar eclipse of Monday, Oct. 11, 2888, will close Saros lunar cycle 141's lineup of 72 similar lunar eclipses: Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak and Jean Meeus (NASA's GSFC), via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2801-2900/LE2888-10-11N.gif

For further information:

Espenak, Fred. “Key to Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Lunar Eclipses of Saros Series 1 to 180.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEsaros/LEsaroscatkey.html

Espenak, Fred; Jean Meeus. "Partial 2041 May 16." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs -- Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150 > Saros Series 141 > 25 -- -14 -- 2041 May 16.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2041-05-16P.gif

Espenak, Fred; Jean Meeus. "Penumbral 1608 Aug 25." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs -- Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150 > Saros Series 141 > 01 -- -38 -- 1608 Aug 25.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/1601-1700/LE1608-08-25N.gif

Espenak, Fred; Jean Meeus. "Penumbral 2005 Apr 24." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs -- Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150 > Saros Series 141 > 23 -- -16 -- 2005 Apr 24.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2005-04-24N.gif

Espenak, Fred; Jean Meeus. "Penumbral 2023 May 05." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs -- Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150 > Saros Series 141 > 24 -- -15 -- 2023 May 05.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2001-2100/LE2023-05-05N.gif

Espenak, Fred; Jean Meeus. "Penumbral 2888 Oct 11." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs -- Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150 > Saros Series 141 > 72 -- 33 -- 2888 Oct 11.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/5MCLEmap/2801-2900/LE2888-10-11N.gif

Espenak, Fred. "Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2023 May 05." EclipseWise > Lunar Eclipses > Recent and Upcoming Lunar Eclipses -- Decade Tables of Lunar Eclipses: 2021-2030 > Lunar Eclipses: 2021-2030 > Table of Lunar Eclipses: 2021 through 2030.
Available via EclipseWise @ https://eclipsewise.com/lunar/LEprime/2001-2100/LE2023May05Nprime.html

Espenak, Fred. "Penumbral Lunar Eclipse of 2023 May 5." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipses: Past and Future 2021-2030 > Lunar Eclipses: 2021-2030.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2023May05N.pdf

Espenak, Fred; Jean Meeus. "Saros Series 141." NASA Eclipse Web Site > Lunar Eclipses > Lunar Eclipse Catalogs -- Catalog of Lunar Eclipse Saros Series > Summary of Saros Series 126 to 150.
Available via NASA Eclipse Web Site @ https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEsaros/LEsaros141.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "May 5, 2023, Penumbral Eclipse Is First of Two 2023 Lunar Eclipses." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2023/04/may-5-2023-penumbral-eclipse-is-first.html