Molad based on a constant interval cycle that is widely but incorrectly regarded as an approximation of the time in Jerusalem of the mean lunar conjunction. Each "molad" moment occurs exactly 29 days 12 hours 44 minutes and 3+/ seconds (or, equivalently, 29 days 12 hours and 44+/ minutes) after the previous "molad" moment. This interval is numerically exactly the same as the length of the mean synodic month that was published by Ptolemy in the Almagest, who cited Hipparchus as its source. Although in the era of Hipparchus (2nd century BC) this interval was equal to the average time between
March 1997 lunar eclipse the third of four lunar year eclipses at the descending node of the moon's orbit. The lunar year series repeats after 12 lunations or 354 days (Shifting back about 10 days in sequential years). Because of the date shift, the Earth's shadow will be about 11 degrees west in sequential events. March 1997 lunar eclipse A partial lunar eclipse took place on March 24, 1997, the first of two lunar eclipses in 1997. This partial lunar eclipse was nearly total; however, it occurred 3 days after the lunar apogee, so the umbral shadow is smaller. This is the 29th member