February 2017 lunar eclipse
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s ascending node of orbit on Saturday, February 11, 2017, with an umbral magnitude of −0.0342. It was not quite a total penumbral lunar eclipse. 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 4.6 days before perigee, the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.
This eclipse occurred the same day as comet 45P/Honda–Mrkos–Pajdušáková made a close approach to Earth. It also occurred on the Lantern Festival, the first eclipse to do so since February 9, 2009.
Visibility
The eclipse was completely visible over northeastern North America, eastern South America, Europe, Africa, and west Asia, seen rising over much of North America and western South America and setting over south and east Asia.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 | 0.98956 |
| Umbral Magnitude | −0.03421 |
| Gamma | −1.02548 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 21h39m19.2s |
| Sun Declination | -14°01'07.8" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 16'12.3" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.9" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 09h38m22.6s |
| Moon Declination | +13°03'10.2" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 15'49.8" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°58'05.6" |
| ΔT | 68.3 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.| February 11 Ascending node | February 26 Descending node |
| Penumbral lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 114 | Annular solar eclipse Solar Saros 140 |
Related eclipses
Eclipses in 2017
A penumbral lunar eclipse on February 11.- An annular solar eclipse on February 26.
- A partial lunar eclipse on August 7.
- A total solar eclipse on August 21.
Metonic
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of April 25, 2013
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of November 30, 2020
Tzolkinex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of December 31, 2009
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of March 25, 2024
Half-Saros
- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of February 7, 2008
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of February 17, 2026
Tritos
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of March 14, 2006
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 12, 2028
Lunar Saros 114
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of January 31, 1999
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of February 22, 2035
Inex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of March 3, 1988
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 22, 2046
Triad
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of April 13, 1930
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of December 13, 2103
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 annular solar eclipses of Solar Saros 121.| February 7, 2008 | February 17, 2026 |