February 1944 lunar eclipse
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon's ascending node of orbit on Wednesday, February 9, 1944, with an umbral magnitude of −0.5223. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when part or all of the Moon's near side passes into the Earth's penumbra. 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. Occurring about 1.1 days before apogee, the Moon's apparent diameter was smaller.
This eclipse was the first of four penumbral lunar eclipses in 1944, with the others occurring on July 6, August 4, and December 29.
Visibility
The eclipse was completely visible over North and South America, west Africa, and western Europe, seen rising over northeast Asia and the central Pacific Ocean and setting over Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.Eclipse details
Shown below is a table displaying details about this particular solar eclipse. It describes various parameters pertaining to this eclipse.| Parameter | Value |
| Penumbral Magnitude | 0.57926 |
| Umbral Magnitude | −0.52225 |
| Gamma | 1.26983 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 21h27m03.0s |
| Sun Declination | -15°01'28.5" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 16'12.7" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.9" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 09h28m05.2s |
| Moon Declination | +16°08'24.5" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 14'43.1" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°54'00.8" |
| ΔT | 26.4 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.| January 25 Descending node | February 9 Ascending node |
| Total solar eclipse Solar Saros 130 | Penumbral lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 142 |
Related eclipses
Eclipses in 1944
- A total solar eclipse on January 25.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on February 9.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on July 6.
- An annular solar eclipse on July 20.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on August 4.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on December 29.
Metonic
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of April 22, 1940
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of November 28, 1947
Tzolkinex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 28, 1936
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of March 23, 1951
Half-Saros
- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of February 3, 1935
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of February 14, 1953
Tritos
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of March 12, 1933
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 8, 1955
Lunar Saros 142
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of January 28, 1926
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of February 19, 1962
Inex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of March 1, 1915
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 18, 1973
Triad
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of April 9, 1857
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of December 9, 2030
Lunar eclipses of 1940–1944
Saros 142
Tritos series
Inex series
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 149.| February 3, 1935 | February 14, 1953 |