December 2011 lunar eclipse
A total lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Saturday, December 10, 2011, with an umbral magnitude of 1.1076. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon's near side entirely passes into the Earth's umbral shadow. Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of Earth. A total lunar eclipse can last up to nearly two hours, while a total solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes at any given place, because the Moon's shadow is smaller. Occurring about 4.8 days after apogee, the Moon's apparent diameter was smaller.
Visibility
The eclipse was completely visible over east and northern Asia, Australia, and northern North America, seen rising over Europe and east and central Africa, and setting over North America.Timing
Times for Australia
The eclipse occurred on Saturday evening in Australia. Eastern Daylight Saving Time:- Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 22:33:32 EDST
- Partial Eclipse Begins: 23:45:42 EDST
- Total Eclipse Begins: 01:06:16 EDST
- Greatest Eclipse: 01:31:49 EDST
- Total Eclipse Ends: 01:57:24 EDST
- Partial Eclipse Ends: 03:17:58 EDST
- Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 04:30:00 EDST
Times for India
The eclipse was visible from India in the evening, given in India Standard Time :- Penumbral eclipse begins : 17:04 IST
- Partial eclipse begins : 18:16 IST
- Total eclipse begins : 19:36 IST
- Mid-eclipse: 20:02 IST
- Total eclipse ends : 20:27 IST
- Partial eclipse ends : 21:48 IST
- Penumbral eclipse ends : 23:00 IST
Times for North America
The eclipse was visible on Saturday morning before sunrise over North America. For most locations, the moon set before full lunar eclipse. Only Alaska and northernmost Canada will be able to witness the entire event.Eclipse details
Shown below is a table displaying details about this particular lunar eclipse. It describes various parameters pertaining to this eclipse.| Parameter | Value |
| Penumbral Magnitude | 2.18746 |
| Umbral Magnitude | 1.10757 |
| Gamma | −0.38819 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 17h08m35.0s |
| Sun Declination | -22°54'38.7" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 16'14.5" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.9" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 05h08m33.9s |
| Moon Declination | +22°33'13.3" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 15'02.4" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°55'11.7" |
| ΔT | 66.7 s |
Eclipse season
This eclipse is part of an eclipse season, a period, roughly every six months, when eclipses occur. Only two eclipse seasons occur each year, and each season lasts about 35 days and repeats just short of six months later; thus two full eclipse seasons always occur each year. Either two or three eclipses happen each eclipse season. In the sequence below, each eclipse is separated by a fortnight.| November 25 Ascending node | December 10 Descending node |
| Partial solar eclipse Solar Saros 123 | Total lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 135 |
Related eclipses
Eclipses in 2011
- A partial solar eclipse on January 4.
- A partial solar eclipse on June 1.
- A total lunar eclipse on June 15.
- A partial solar eclipse on July 1.
- A partial solar eclipse on November 25.
- '''A total lunar eclipse on December 10.'''
Metonic
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of February 21, 2008
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of September 28, 2015
Tzolkinex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of October 28, 2004
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 21, 2019
Half-Saros
- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of December 4, 2002
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of December 14, 2020
Tritos
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of January 9, 2001
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of November 8, 2022
Lunar Saros 135
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of November 29, 1993
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of December 20, 2029
Inex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 30, 1982
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of November 18, 2040
Triad
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of February 8, 1925
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of October 10, 2098
Half-Saros cycle
A lunar eclipse will be preceded and followed by solar eclipses by 9 years and 5.5 days. This lunar eclipse is related to two total solar eclipses of Solar Saros 142.| December 4, 2002 | December 14, 2020 |