The July 27, 2018 total lunar eclipse was the longest of the 21st century, with totality lasting 1 hour and nearly 43 minutes.
Key Facts
- Totality duration
- 1 hour 42.955 minutes
- Umbral magnitude
- 1.6100
- Partial shadow duration
- 3 hours 54.55 minutes
- First central eclipse since
- June 15, 2011
- Moon near apogee (micromoon)
- ~19 hours after apogee on July 27, 2018
- Mars proximity coincidence
- Occurs once every ~25,000 years
By the Numbers
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Moon passed through the Earth's umbral shadow at its descending node of orbit, occurring approximately 19 hours after reaching apogee. Because the Moon was near its maximum distance from Earth, it appeared smaller than usual and moved at its slowest orbital speed, both factors that extended the duration of totality to near the theoretical maximum.
On July 27, 2018, a total lunar eclipse—classified as a central eclipse—took place, with the Moon passing partly through the center of Earth's shadow. Totality lasted 1 hour and 42.955 minutes, making it the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century. The event coincided with Mars being at near-maximum proximity to Earth, a concurrence occurring roughly once every 25,000 years.
The eclipse drew widespread public and scientific interest as the longest total lunar eclipse of the 21st century and the longest until May 12, 2264. Its coincidence with a rare close approach of Mars made it a notable combined astronomical event. The eclipse reinforced understanding of how lunar distance and orbital speed influence eclipse duration.