May 1985 lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse took place on May 4, 1985. ^[1]

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

Lunar eclipse series sets from 1984-1987

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
1966 May 4 - Penumbral (111) 1985 May 4 - Total (121) 2004 May 4 - Total (131) 2023 May 5 - Penumbral (141)	1966 Oct 29 - Penumbral (116) 1985 Oct 28 - Total (126) 2004 Oct 28 - Total (136) 2023 Oct 28 - Partial (146) 2042 Oct 28 - Penumbral (156)

Saros series

It is a member of Saros cycle 121.

See also

• List of lunar eclipses
• List of 20th century lunar eclipses

Notes

1. ^ Hermit Eclipse: Saros cycle 121

External links

• 1985 May 04 chart Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA/GSFC