Magnitude Of Eclipse
The magnitude of an eclipse is the fraction of the diameter of the eclipsed body which is in eclipse. This applies to both solar eclipses and lunar eclipses. During a partial or annular eclipse the magnitude of the eclipse is always between 0.0 and 1.0, while during a total eclipse the magnitude is always at least 1.0.
Technically, the magnitude is computed as such: draw a straight line between the centers of the eclipsed body and the eclipsing body (or shadow). Find out how large a fraction of this line within the eclipsed body is in eclipse; this is the geometric magnitude of the eclipse. If the eclipse is total, one can extend this line in one direction to the nearest limb of the eclipsing body (or shadow) and obtain a geometric magnitude larger than 1.0. If there is no eclipse but a near miss, one can also extend the line towards the nearest limb of the eclipsing body (or shadow), counting this distance as negative, and obtain a negative geometric magnitude.
This measure should not be confused with the astronomical magnitude logarithmic scale of brightness. It should neither be confused with the obscuration of the eclipse, which is the fractional area which is eclipsed.
Read more about Magnitude Of Eclipse: Effect of The Magnitude On A Solar Eclipse, Effect of The Magnitude On A Lunar Eclipse
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