May 1453 lunar eclipse

A partial lunar eclipse occurred on 22 May 1453.

Observations

It was seen during the Fall of Constantinople (the capture of the capital of the Byzantine Empire), during the siege that lasted from Thursday, 5 April 1453 until Tuesday, 29 May 1453), after which the city fell to the Ottomans. The lunar eclipse was considered to be fulfilling a prophecy for the city's demise, which says a blood moon took place during the eclipse.

Visibility

File:Lunar eclipse from moon-1453May22.png File:Lunar eclipse chart close-1453May22.png
The partial eclipse was visible from Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania.

References

• NASA: Lunar Eclipses of Historical Interest
• NASA graphics

External links

• www.economist.com The fall of Constantinople, Dec 23rd 1999
• www.wordinfo.info: A Lunar Eclipse that Contributed to the Fall of Constantinople