7/27/2018 – The longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century


 

A total lunar eclipse occurred on 27 July 2018. The Moon passed through the center of Earth’s shadow in what was the first central lunar eclipse since 15 June 2011. It was also the second total lunar eclipse in 2018, after the one on 31 January.

The eclipse occurred when the Moon was near its maximum distance from Earth, which caused the Moon to appear smaller than normal (a phenomenon sometimes called a micromoon), and to travel at its slowest speed in its orbit around Earth. This was the longest total lunar eclipse that will occur in the 21st century. Totality lasted approximately one hour and 43 minutes, a period “just short of the theoretical limit of a lunar eclipse (one hour and 47 minutes)”. The Moon remained at least partially in Earth’s shadow for four hours.

Source: Wikipedia

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