August 1971 lunar eclipse

August 1971 lunar eclipse
Total eclipse
Date6 August 1971
Gamma−0.07944
Magnitude1.72830
Saros cycle128 (38 of 71)
Totality99 minutes, 24.8 seconds
Partiality215 minutes, 31.9 seconds
Penumbral327 minutes, 33.3 seconds
Contacts (UTC)
P116:59:26.4
U117:55:25.2
U218:53:28.4
Greatest19:43:10.3
U320:32:53.2
U421:30:57.1
P422:26:49.7

A total lunar eclipse took place on Friday, August 6, 1971, the second of two total lunar eclipses in 1971. A dramatic total eclipse lasting 1 hour, 39 minutes and 24.8 seconds plunged the full Moon into deep darkness, as it passed right through the centre of the Earth's umbral shadow. While the visual effect of a total eclipse is variable, the Moon may have been stained a deep orange or red colour at maximum eclipse. This was a great spectacle for everyone who saw it. The partial eclipse lasted for 3 hours, 35 minutes and 31.9 seconds in total. Occurring only 2.2 days before perigee (Perigee on Monday, August 9, 1971), the Moon's apparent diameter was 3.6% larger than average and the moon passed through the center of the Earth's shadow.