A penumbral lunar eclipse took place on Tuesday, September 27, 1977, the second of two lunar eclipses in 1977. At maximum eclipse, 90.076% of the Moon's disc was partially shaded by the Earth, which caused a slight shadow gradient across its disc; this subtle effect may have been visible to careful observers. No part of the Moon was in complete shadow. The eclipse lasted 4 hours, 17 minutes and 35.5 seconds overall. Occurring 6.2 days before apogee (Apogee on October 3, 1977), the Moon's apparent diameter was 2.2% smaller than average.^[1]

Visibility

It was completely visible over east in Asia, Australia, Pacific, North America and South America, seen rising over Asia, East China Sea and Australia and setting over the Atlantic and South America.

Related lunar eclipses

Eclipses in 1977

• A partial lunar eclipse on Monday, 4 April 1977.
• An annular solar eclipse on Monday, 18 April 1977.
• A penumbral lunar eclipse on Tuesday, 27 September 1977.
• A total solar eclipse on Wednesday, 12 October 1977.

Lunar year series

Lunar eclipse series sets from 1977–1980
Ascending node					Descending node
Saros	Date Viewing	Type Chart	Gamma		Saros	Date Viewing	Type Chart	Gamma
112	1977 Apr 04	Partial	−0.91483		117	1977 Sep 27	Penumbral	1.07682
122	1978 Mar 24	Total	−0.21402		127	1978 Sep 16	Total	0.29510
132	1979 Mar 13	Partial	0.52537		137	1979 Sep 06	Total	−0.43050
142	1980 Mar 01	Penumbral	1.22701		147	1980 Aug 26	Penumbral	−1.16082
Last set	1976 May 13				Last set	1976 Nov 06
Next set	1981 Jan 20				Next set	1980 Jul 27

Half-Saros cycle

A lunar eclipse will be preceded and followed by solar eclipses by 9 years and 5.5 days (a half saros).^[2] This lunar eclipse is related to two solar eclipses of Solar Saros 124.

September 22, 1968	October 3, 1986