July 2009 lunar eclipse
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s ascending node of orbit on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, with an umbral magnitude of −0.9116. 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 only about 8 hours before apogee, the Moon's apparent diameter was smaller. This eclipse entered only the southernmost tip of the penumbral shadow and thus was predicted to be very difficult to observe visually.
This eclipse was the second of four lunar eclipses in 2009, with the others occurring on February 9, August 6, and December 31.
Visibility
The eclipse was completely visible over eastern Australia and western North and South America, seen rising over western Australia and setting over eastern North and South America.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 | 0.15783 |
| Umbral Magnitude | −0.91159 |
| Gamma | −1.49158 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 07h06m54.1s |
| Sun Declination | +22°32'55.2" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 15'43.9" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.7" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 19h08m08.1s |
| Moon Declination | -23°51'38.0" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 14'42.6" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°53'59.3" |
| ΔT | 65.9 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. The first and last eclipse in this sequence is separated by one synodic month.| July 7 Ascending node | July 22 Descending node | August 6 Ascending node |
| Penumbral lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 110 | Total solar eclipse Solar Saros 136 | Penumbral lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 148 |
Related eclipses
Eclipses in 2009
- An annular solar eclipse on January 26.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on February 9.A penumbral lunar eclipse on July 7.
- A total solar eclipse on July 22.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on August 6.
- A partial lunar eclipse on December 31.
Metonic
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of April 25, 2013
Tzolkinex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of May 26, 2002
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of August 18, 2016
Half-Saros
- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of July 1, 2000
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of July 13, 2018
Tritos
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of August 8, 1998
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of June 5, 2020
Lunar Saros 110
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of June 27, 1991
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of July 18, 2027
Inex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of July 27, 1980
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of June 17, 2038
Triad
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of May 7, 2096
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 partial solar eclipses of Solar Saros 117.| July 1, 2000 | July 13, 2018 |