Florida's 2014-2015 Tetrad Lunar Eclipses

Florida's 2014-2015 Tetrad Lunar Eclipses

Total Lunar Eclipse (2008 Feb. 20)

A sequence of four consecutive total lunar eclipses nearly coincide
with Passover and Succoth in 2014 and 2015.
All or parts of these four eclipses will be visible over Florida.
Religious fanatics may herald this series of eclipses with dire pronouncements.
This is biblical nonsense and contrary to modern scientific learning.
Instead, these events give us multiple opportunities to experience
one of nature's wonderful spectacles

Documents (PDF) and Figures
(Open in separate windows)

Article: A Jewish Festival of Eclipse
(More information about this lunar tetrad)

Glossary: Brief Glossary of Lunar Eclipse Related Terms

Eclipse Times for Florida:
Note: Rise/set/twilight times & lunar positions given for Gainesville & may differ slightly for other Florida locations

Table 1. 2014 April 15 Total Lunar Eclipse
Table 2. 2014 October 8 Total Lunar Eclipse
Table 3. 2015 April 4 Total Lunar Eclipse
Table 4. 2015 September 28 Total Lunar Eclipse

Figures Used in Article & Glossary: (Click figures to enlarge)

Lunar Eclipse Diagram (Eclipse Geometry)

Usually the Moon passes above or below Earth's shadow. But at least twice per year the Moon passes partially or totally through Earth's shadow and a lunar eclipse occurs.

Eclipse Sky for Lunar Eclipse of 2014 April 15

The bright star Spica is located only 1.5º S.W. of eclipsed Moon! Saturn shines to the left and brilliant, orangy Mars blazes to the right at magnitude -1.5, as bright looking as the brightest nighttime star, Sirius. About 17 hours before the partial eclipse begins Mars will be at its closest approach to Earth (5.1 light-minutes away)! Mars will not be this close to Earth (0.62 AU or 57 million miles) until the end of April 2016.