Editing Saros (astronomy) (section)

== {{anchor|sar}} Relationship between lunar and solar saros (sar) ==

After a given lunar or solar eclipse, after 9 years and {{frac|5|1|2}} days (a half saros, or sar) an eclipse will occur that is lunar instead of solar, or vice versa, with similar properties.<ref>Mathematical Astronomy Morsels, Jean Meeus, p.110, Chapter 18, ''The half-saros''</ref>

For example, if the Moon's penumbra partially covers the southern limb of the Earth during a solar eclipse, 9 years and {{frac|5|1|2}} days later a lunar eclipse will occur in which the Moon is partially covered by the southern limb of the Earth's penumbra. Likewise, 9 years and {{frac|5|1|2}} days after a total solar eclipse or an annular solar eclipse occurs, a total lunar eclipse will also occur. This 9-year period is referred to as a '''sar'''. It includes {{frac|111|1|2}} synodic months, or 111 synodic months plus one [[Eclipse cycle#Eclipse cycles|fortnight]]. The fortnight accounts for the alternation between solar and lunar eclipse. For a visual example see ''[[Eclipse season#Examples: Part 1 out of 4|this chart]]'' (each row is one sar apart).