March 2016 lunar eclipse
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s ascending node of orbit on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, with an umbral magnitude of −0.3107. 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 2 days before apogee, the Moon's apparent diameter was smaller.
Visibility
The eclipse was completely visible over Australia and western North America, seen rising over much of Asia and setting over central and eastern North America and western 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 | 0.77585 |
| Umbral Magnitude | −0.31071 |
| Gamma | 1.15916 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 00h12m02.0s |
| Sun Declination | +01°18'10.9" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 16'02.7" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.8" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 12h13m18.6s |
| Moon Declination | -00°18'21.4" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 14'46.0" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°54'11.6" |
| ΔT | 68.0 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.| March 9 Descending node | March 23 Ascending node |
| Total solar eclipse Solar Saros 130 | Penumbral lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 142 |
Related eclipses
Eclipses in 2016
- A total solar eclipse on March 9.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on March 23.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on August 18.
- An annular solar eclipse on September 1.
- A penumbral lunar eclipse on September 16.
Metonic
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of June 4, 2012
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 10, 2020
Tzolkinex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of February 9, 2009
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of May 5, 2023
Half-Saros
- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of March 19, 2007
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of March 29, 2025
Tritos
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of April 24, 2005
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of February 20, 2027
Lunar Saros 142
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of March 13, 1998
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of April 3, 2034
Inex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of April 14, 1987
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of March 3, 2045
Triad
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of May 23, 1929
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 23, 2103
Lunar eclipses of 2013–2016
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 partial solar eclipses of Solar Saros 149.| March 19, 2007 | March 29, 2025 |