# February 2008 lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse occurred at the Moon’s descending node of orbit on Thursday, February 21, 2008, with an umbral magnitude of 1.1081. A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the Earth's shadow, causing the Moon to be darkened. A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon's near side entirely passes into the Earth's umbral shadow. 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. A total lunar eclipse can last up to nearly two hours, while a total solar eclipse lasts only a few minutes at any given place, because the Moon's shadow is smaller. The Moon's apparent diameter was near the average diameter because it occurred 7.2 days after perigee (on February 13, 2008, at 20:00 UTC) and 6.8 days before apogee (on February 27, 2008, at 20:30 UTC).

## Visibility

The eclipse was completely visible over North and South America, west Africa, and western Europe, seen rising over much of the Pacific Ocean and setting over much of Africa, eastern Europe, and west, central, and south Asia.
The bright star Regulus of Leo and the planet Saturn were prominent very near the Moon during the total eclipse portion. Shortly before the eclipse began, Regulus was occulted by the Moon in parts of the far Southern Atlantic Ocean and Antarctica.
| | Hourly motion shown right to left | The Moon's hourly motion across the Earth's shadow in the constellation of Leo. |
| Visibility map |||

## Timing

The Moon entered the penumbral shadow at 0:36 UTC, and the umbral shadow at 1:43. Totality lasted for 50 minutes, between 3:01 and 3:51. The Moon left the umbra shadow at 5:09 and left the penumbra shadow at 6:16.
Total Lunar Eclipse :
| Event | Event | North and South America | North and South America | North and South America | North and South America | North and South America | North and South America | Europe and Africa | Europe and Africa | Europe and Africa |
| Event | Event | Evening of February 20th | Evening of February 20th | Evening of February 20th | Evening of February 20th | Evening of February 20th | Evening of February 20th | Morning of February 21st | Morning of February 21st | Morning of February 21st |
| Event | Event | AKST (-9$_h$) | PST (-8$_h$) | MST (-7$_h$) | CST (-6$_h$) | EST (-5$_h$) | AST (-4$_h$) | GMT (0$_h$) | CET (+1$_h$) | EET (+2$_h$) |
| P1 | Penumbral began | Under Horizon | Under Horizon | Under Horizon | 18:36 | 19:36 | 20:36 | 0:36 | 1:36 | 2:36 |
| U1 | Partial began | Under Horizon | Under Horizon | 18:43 | 19:43 | 20:43 | 21:43 | 1:43 | 2:43 | 3:43 |
| U2 | Total began | Under Horizon | 19:01 | 20:01 | 21:01 | 22:01 | 23:01 | 3:01 | 4:01 | 5:01 |
| | Mid-eclipse | 18:26 | 19:26 | 20:26 | 21:26 | 22:26 | 23:26 | 3:26 | 4:26 | 5:26 |
| U3 | Total ended | 18:51 | 19:51 | 20:51 | 21:51 | 22:51 | 23:51 | 3:51 | 4:51 | Set |
| U4 | Partial ended | 20:09 | 21:09 | 22:09 | 23:09 | 0:09 | 1:09 | 5:09 | Set | Set |

## Images

* These simulated views of the Earth from the center of the Moon during the lunar eclipse show where the eclipse is visible on Earth.

## Gallery
### Composites

| Eclipse observed from Sandim, Portugal. 41°02′22″N 8°30′50″W﻿ / ﻿41.03944°N 8.51389°W﻿ / 41.03944; -8.51389. | Eclipse observed from Regina, Saskatchewan. Each image is roughly taken 5 minutes apart. |
| Images taken in 3-5 minute Intervals - from Bradley, Illinois. | Eclipse observed from Halton Hills, Ontario. From 01:47 to 03:15 UTC, each image is roughly taken 5min apart. |
| Eclipse observed from Winnipeg, Manitoba ||
| Lunar eclipse observed from Burlington, Ontario ||
| Observed from Baltimore, Maryland, from 2:30 to 3:01 UTC. Lunar north is near left. ||

### North America
#### Canada

* Eclipse Observed from Burlington, Ontario, at 2:00 UTC.
* Eclipse observed from Victoria, British Columbia, at 2:49 UTC. Lunar north is near top-left.
* Eclipse observed from Victoria, British Columbia at 2:56 UTC, just prior to total. Lunar north is near top-left.
* Eclipse observed from Salmon Arm, Canada at 3:11 UTC. Lunar north is near top-left.
* Eclipse observed from Burlington, Ontario at 4:05 UTC.

#### USA (west)

* Eclipse observed from Salem, Oregon. Lunar north is near top-left.
* Observed from Urbana, Illinois, at 3:06 UTC. Lunar north is near top-left.
* Observed from Boulder, Colorado, at 4:17 UTC. Lunar north is near top-left. Mare Humorum appears at bottom, Tycho's rays at bottom right.

#### USA (east)

* Moon observed from West Hartford, Connecticut, at 1:42 UTC. Lunar north is left.
* Eclipse observed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at 2:49 UTC.
* Eclipse observed from Millersville, Pennsylvania, at 3:15 UTC. Lunar north is near left.
* Eclipse observed from West Hartford, Connecticut, at 3:17 UTC. Lunar north is near top-left.
* Eclipse observed from West Hartford, Connecticut, at 3:18 UTC. Lunar north is near top-left.
* Eclipse observed from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at 3:36 UTC. Lunar north is top-left.
* Eclipse observed from Wellesley, Massachusetts, at 3:52 UTC
* Eclipse observed from Fredericksburg, Virginia, at 3:57 UTC.

### South America

* Eclipse observed from São Joaquim, Brazil at 3:52 UTC.

### Europe and Africa

* Eclipse observed from Rostock, Germany, at 1:50 UTC. Lunar north is near top.
* Eclipse observed from Sasolburg, South Africa - around 2:55 UTC. Lunar north is right.
* Eclipse observed from Prague, Czech Republic at 3:41 UTC

## Eclipse details

Shown below is a table displaying details about this particular solar eclipse. It describes various parameters pertaining to this eclipse.
February 21, 2008 Lunar Eclipse Parameters :
| Parameter | Value |
| Penumbral Magnitude | 2.14698 |
| Umbral Magnitude | 1.10809 |
| Gamma | -0.39923 |
| Sun Right Ascension | 22h15m30.0s |
| Sun Declination | -10°48'31.3" |
| Sun Semi-Diameter | 16'10.5" |
| Sun Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 08.9" |
| Moon Right Ascension | 10h14m48.5s |
| Moon Declination | +10°28'07.6" |
| Moon Semi-Diameter | 15'34.2" |
| Moon Equatorial Horizontal Parallax | 0°57'08.5" |
| ΔT | 65.5 s |

## Eclipse season

This eclipse is part of an eclipse season, a period, roughly every six months, when eclipses occur. Only two (or occasionally three) eclipse seasons occur each year, and each season lasts about 35 days and repeats just short of six months (173 days) 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.
Eclipse season of February 2008 :
| February 7 Ascending node (new moon) | February 21 Descending node (full moon) |
| Annular solar eclipse Solar Saros 121 | Total lunar eclipse Lunar Saros 133 |

## Related eclipses
### Eclipses in 2008

* An annular solar eclipse on February 7.
* A total lunar eclipse on February 21.
* A total solar eclipse on August 1.
* A partial lunar eclipse on August 16.

### Metonic

* Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of May 4, 2004
* Followed by: Lunar eclipse of December 10, 2011

### Tzolkinex

* Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of January 9, 2001
* Followed by: Lunar eclipse of April 4, 2015

### Half-Saros

* Preceded by: Solar eclipse of February 16, 1999
* Followed by: Solar eclipse of February 26, 2017

### Tritos

* Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of March 24, 1997
* Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 21, 2019

### Lunar Saros 133

* Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of February 9, 1990
* Followed by: Lunar eclipse of March 3, 2026

### Inex

* Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of March 13, 1979
* Followed by: Lunar eclipse of January 31, 2037

### Triad

* Preceded by: Lunar eclipse of April 22, 1921
* Followed by: Lunar eclipse of December 21, 2094

### Lunar eclipses of 2006–2009

This eclipse is a member of a semester series. An eclipse in a semester series of lunar eclipses repeats approximately every 177 days and 4 hours (a semester) at alternating nodes of the Moon's orbit.
The lunar eclipses on July 7, 2009 (penumbral) and December 31, 2009 (partial) occur in the next lunar year eclipse set.
Lunar eclipse series sets from 2006 to 2009 :
| Descending node | Descending node | Descending node | Descending node | Ascending node | Ascending node | Ascending node | Ascending node |
| Saros | Date Viewing | Type Chart | Gamma | Saros | Date Viewing | Type Chart | Gamma |
| 113 | 2006 Mar 14 | Penumbral | 1.0211 | 118 | 2006 Sep 7 | Partial | −0.9262 |
| 123 | 2007 Mar 03 | Total | 0.3175 | 128 | 2007 Aug 28 | Total | −0.2146 |
| 133 | 2008 Feb 21 | Total | −0.3992 | 138 | 2008 Aug 16 | Partial | 0.5646 |
| 143 | 2009 Feb 09 | Penumbral | −1.0640 | 148 | 2009 Aug 06 | Penumbral | 1.3572 |

### Metonic series

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.
Metonic lunar eclipse sets 1951–2027 :
| Descending node | Descending node | Descending node | Ascending node | Ascending node | Ascending node |
| Saros | Date | Type | Saros | Date | Type |
| 103 | 1951 Feb 21.88 | Penumbral | 108 | 1951 Aug 17.13 | Penumbral |
| 113 | 1970 Feb 21.35 | Partial | 118 | 1970 Aug 17.14 | Partial |
| 123 | 1989 Feb 20.64 | Total | 128 | 1989 Aug 17.13 | Total |
| 133 | 2008 Feb 21.14 | Total | 138 | 2008 Aug 16.88 | Partial |
| 143 | 2027 Feb 20.96 | Penumbral | 148 | 2027 Aug 17.30 | Penumbral |

### Saros 133

This eclipse is a part of Saros series 133, repeating every 18 years, 11 days, and containing 71 events. The series started with a penumbral lunar eclipse on May 13, 1557. It contains partial eclipses from August 7, 1683 through December 17, 1899; total eclipses from December 28, 1917 through August 3, 2278; and a second set of partial eclipses from August 14, 2296 through March 11, 2639. The series ends at member 71 as a penumbral eclipse on June 29, 2819.
The longest duration of totality will be produced by member 35 at 101 minutes, 41 seconds on May 30, 2170. All eclipses in this series occur at the Moon’s descending node of orbit.
| Greatest | First | First | First | First |
| The greatest eclipse of the series will occur on 2170 May 30, lasting 101 minutes, 41 seconds. | Penumbral | Partial | Total | Central |
| The greatest eclipse of the series will occur on 2170 May 30, lasting 101 minutes, 41 seconds. | 1557 May 13 | 1683 Aug 07 | 1917 Dec 28 | 2098 Apr 15 |
| Last ||||
| The greatest eclipse of the series will occur on 2170 May 30, lasting 101 minutes, 41 seconds. | Central | Total | Partial | Penumbral |
| The greatest eclipse of the series will occur on 2170 May 30, lasting 101 minutes, 41 seconds. | 2224 Jul 01 | 2278 Aug 03 | 2639 Mar 11 | 2819 Jun 29 |
Eclipses are tabulated in three columns; every third eclipse in the same column is one exeligmos apart, so they all cast shadows over approximately the same parts of the Earth.
Series members 15–36 occur between 1801 and 2200: :
| 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 17 |
| 1809 Oct 23 | 1809 Oct 23 | 1827 Nov 03 | 1827 Nov 03 | 1845 Nov 14 | 1845 Nov 14 |
| 18 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 20 |
| 1863 Nov 25 | 1863 Nov 25 | 1881 Dec 05 | 1881 Dec 05 | 1899 Dec 17 | 1899 Dec 17 |
| 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 23 |
| 1917 Dec 28 | 1917 Dec 28 | 1936 Jan 08 | 1936 Jan 08 | 1954 Jan 19 | 1954 Jan 19 |
| 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 |
| 1972 Jan 30 | 1972 Jan 30 | 1990 Feb 09 | 1990 Feb 09 | 2008 Feb 21 | 2008 Feb 21 |
| 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 29 |
| 2026 Mar 03 | 2026 Mar 03 | 2044 Mar 13 | 2044 Mar 13 | 2062 Mar 25 | 2062 Mar 25 |
| 30 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 |
| 2080 Apr 04 | 2080 Apr 04 | 2098 Apr 15 | 2098 Apr 15 | 2116 Apr 27 | 2116 Apr 27 |
| 33 | 33 | 34 | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| 2134 May 08 | 2134 May 08 | 2152 May 18 | 2152 May 18 | 2170 May 30 | 2170 May 30 |
| 36 ||
| 2188 Jun 09 ||

### Tritos series

This eclipse is a part of a tritos cycle, repeating at alternating nodes every 135 synodic months (≈ 3986.63 days, or 11 years minus 1 month). Their appearance and longitude are irregular due to a lack of synchronization with the anomalistic month (period of perigee), but groupings of 3 tritos cycles (≈ 33 years minus 3 months) come close (≈ 434.044 anomalistic months), so eclipses are similar in these groupings.
Series members between 1801 and 2200 :
| 1811 Sep 02 (Saros 115) | 1811 Sep 02 (Saros 115) | 1822 Aug 03 (Saros 116) | 1822 Aug 03 (Saros 116) | 1833 Jul 02 (Saros 117) | 1833 Jul 02 (Saros 117) | 1844 May 31 (Saros 118) | 1844 May 31 (Saros 118) | 1855 May 02 (Saros 119) | 1855 May 02 (Saros 119) |
| 1866 Mar 31 (Saros 120) | 1866 Mar 31 (Saros 120) | 1877 Feb 27 (Saros 121) | 1877 Feb 27 (Saros 121) | 1888 Jan 28 (Saros 122) | 1888 Jan 28 (Saros 122) | 1898 Dec 27 (Saros 123) | 1898 Dec 27 (Saros 123) | 1909 Nov 27 (Saros 124) | 1909 Nov 27 (Saros 124) |
| 1920 Oct 27 (Saros 125) | 1920 Oct 27 (Saros 125) | 1931 Sep 26 (Saros 126) | 1931 Sep 26 (Saros 126) | 1942 Aug 26 (Saros 127) | 1942 Aug 26 (Saros 127) | 1953 Jul 26 (Saros 128) | 1953 Jul 26 (Saros 128) | 1964 Jun 25 (Saros 129) | 1964 Jun 25 (Saros 129) |
| 1975 May 25 (Saros 130) | 1975 May 25 (Saros 130) | 1986 Apr 24 (Saros 131) | 1986 Apr 24 (Saros 131) | 1997 Mar 24 (Saros 132) | 1997 Mar 24 (Saros 132) | 2008 Feb 21 (Saros 133) | 2008 Feb 21 (Saros 133) | 2019 Jan 21 (Saros 134) | 2019 Jan 21 (Saros 134) |
| 2029 Dec 20 (Saros 135) | 2029 Dec 20 (Saros 135) | 2040 Nov 18 (Saros 136) | 2040 Nov 18 (Saros 136) | 2051 Oct 19 (Saros 137) | 2051 Oct 19 (Saros 137) | 2062 Sep 18 (Saros 138) | 2062 Sep 18 (Saros 138) | 2073 Aug 17 (Saros 139) | 2073 Aug 17 (Saros 139) |
| 2084 Jul 17 (Saros 140) | 2084 Jul 17 (Saros 140) | 2095 Jun 17 (Saros 141) | 2095 Jun 17 (Saros 141) | 2106 May 17 (Saros 142) | 2106 May 17 (Saros 142) | 2117 Apr 16 (Saros 143) | 2117 Apr 16 (Saros 143) | 2128 Mar 16 (Saros 144) | 2128 Mar 16 (Saros 144) |
| 2139 Feb 13 (Saros 145) | 2139 Feb 13 (Saros 145) | 2150 Jan 13 (Saros 146) | 2150 Jan 13 (Saros 146) | 2160 Dec 13 (Saros 147) | 2160 Dec 13 (Saros 147) | 2171 Nov 12 (Saros 148) | 2171 Nov 12 (Saros 148) | 2182 Oct 11 (Saros 149) | 2182 Oct 11 (Saros 149) |
| 2193 Sep 11 (Saros 150) ||

### Inex series

This eclipse is a part of the long period inex cycle, repeating at alternating nodes, every 358 synodic months (≈ 10,571.95 days, or 29 years minus 20 days). Their appearance and longitude are irregular due to a lack of synchronization with the anomalistic month (period of perigee). However, groupings of 3 inex cycles (≈ 87 years minus 2 months) comes close (≈ 1,151.02 anomalistic months), so eclipses are similar in these groupings.
Series members between 1801 and 2200 :
| 1805 Jul 11 (Saros 126) | 1805 Jul 11 (Saros 126) | 1834 Jun 21 (Saros 127) | 1834 Jun 21 (Saros 127) | 1863 Jun 01 (Saros 128) | 1863 Jun 01 (Saros 128) |
| 1892 May 11 (Saros 129) | 1892 May 11 (Saros 129) | 1921 Apr 22 (Saros 130) | 1921 Apr 22 (Saros 130) | 1950 Apr 02 (Saros 131) | 1950 Apr 02 (Saros 131) |
| 1979 Mar 13 (Saros 132) | 1979 Mar 13 (Saros 132) | 2008 Feb 21 (Saros 133) | 2008 Feb 21 (Saros 133) | 2037 Jan 31 (Saros 134) | 2037 Jan 31 (Saros 134) |
| 2066 Jan 11 (Saros 135) | 2066 Jan 11 (Saros 135) | 2094 Dec 21 (Saros 136) | 2094 Dec 21 (Saros 136) | 2123 Dec 03 (Saros 137) | 2123 Dec 03 (Saros 137) |
| 2152 Nov 12 (Saros 138) | 2152 Nov 12 (Saros 138) | 2181 Oct 22 (Saros 139) | 2181 Oct 22 (Saros 139) |

### Half-Saros cycle

A lunar eclipse will be preceded and followed by solar eclipses by 9 years and 5.5 days (a half saros). This lunar eclipse is related to two annular solar eclipses of Solar Saros 140.
| February 16, 1999 | February 26, 2017 |