May 2023 lunar eclipse
A penumbral lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Friday, May 5, 2023, with an umbral magnitude of −0.0438. 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 5.2 days before perigee, the Moon's apparent diameter was larger.
This was the deepest penumbral eclipse since February 2017 and until August 2053.
Visibility
The eclipse was completely visible over Asia, Australia, and Antarctica, seen rising over Africa and Europe and setting over the central Pacific Ocean.Visibility map |
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 | 0.96551 |
| Umbral Magnitude | −0.04378 |
| Gamma | −1.03495 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 02h49m59.7s |
| Sun Declination | +16°19'27.9" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 15'51.6" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.7" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 14h48m23.5s |
| Moon Declination | -17°14'31.7" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 15'42.8" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°57'40.1" |
| ΔT | 70.9 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.| April 20 Ascending node | May 5 Descending node |
| Hybrid solar eclipse Solar Saros 129 | Penumbral lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 141 |
Related eclipses
Eclipses in 2023
- A hybrid solar eclipse on April 20.A penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5.
- An annular solar eclipse on October 14.
- A partial lunar eclipse on October 28.
Metonic
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of July 16, 2019
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of February 20, 2027
Tzolkinex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of March 23, 2016
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of June 15, 2030
Half-Saros
- Preceded by: Solar eclipse of April 29, 2014
- Followed by: Solar eclipse of May 9, 2032
Tritos
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of June 4, 2012
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of April 3, 2034
Lunar Saros 141
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of April 24, 2005
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of May 16, 2041
Inex
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of May 25, 1994
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of April 14, 2052
Triad
- Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of July 4, 1936
- Followed by: Lunar eclipse of March 6, 2110
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 148.| April 29, 2014 | May 9, 2032 |