May 1985 lunar eclipse
A total lunar eclipse took place on May 4, 1985.[1]
This lunar eclipse is first of a tetrad, four total lunar eclipses in series. The last series was in 1967 and 1968, starting with an April 1967 lunar eclipse, while the next will be in 2003 and 2004, starting with a May 2003 lunar eclipse.
Visibility
It is seen rising over the whole of Africa, Middle East, Europe and Asia. The eclipse was sighted over the Philippines at night. The second also followed on October 28, 1985.
Related eclipses
Lunar year series
| Descending node | Ascending node | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saros | Date Viewing |
Type Chart |
Saros | Date Viewing |
Type Chart | |
| 111 | 1984 May 15 |
Penumbral |
116 | 1984 Nov 08 |
Penumbral | |
| 121 | 1985 May 04 |
Total |
126 | 1985 Oct 28 |
Total | |
| 131 | 1986 Apr 24 |
Total |
136 | 1986 Oct 17 |
Total | |
| 141 | 1987 Apr 14 |
Penumbral |
146 | 1987 Oct 07 |
Penumbral | |
| Last set | 1984 Jun 13 | Last set | 1983 Dec 20 | |||
| Next set | 1988 Mar 03 | Next set | 1988 Aug 27 | |||
Metonic series
This eclipse is the second of four Metonic cycle lunar eclipses on the same date, May 4–5, each separated by 19 years:
The Metonic cycle repeats nearly exactly every 19 years and represents a Saros cycle plus one lunar year. Because it occurs on the same calendar date, the earth's shadow will in nearly the same location relative to the background stars.
| Ascending node | Descending node |
|---|---|
|
|
 |
 |
Saros series
It is a member of Saros cycle 121.
See also
- List of lunar eclipses
- List of 20th-century lunar eclipses
Notes
External links
- 1985 May 04 chart Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC
