The following table contains the Besselian elements for the Total Solar Eclipse of 1961 Feb 15 .
The geographic coordinates of the eclipse path are in the Path Table . The global visibility of the eclipse is shown on an Orthographic Map . The features of this map are described in the Key to Solar Eclipse Path Tables. The path of the eclipse is displayed in greater detail on a Google Map .
Besselian Elements for the Total Solar Eclipse of 1961 Feb 15
Equatorial Conjunction: 08:43:06.4 TDT J.D. = 2437345.863268
(Sun & Moon in R.A.) (=08:42:32.8 UT)
Ecliptic Conjunction: 08:10:53.4 TDT J.D. = 2437345.840896
(Sun & Moon in Ec. Lo.) (=08:10:19.8 UT)
Instant of 08:19:48.2 TDT J.D. = 2437345.847086
Greatest Eclipse: (=08:19:14.6 UT)
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Gamma = 0.8830 Ephemerides = VSOP87/ELP2000-82
Eclipse Magnitude = 1.0360 Lunation No. = -481
ΔT = 33.6 s Saros Series = 120 (58/71)
Lunar Radius k1 = 0.272488 (Penumbra) Shift in Δb = 0.00"
Constants: k2 = 0.272281 (Umbra) Lunar Position: Δl = 0.00"
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Geocentric Coordinates of Sun & Moon at Greatest Eclipse (VSOP87/ELP2000-82):
Sun: R.A. = 21h54m38.6s Moon: R.A. = 21h53m44.3s
Dec. =-12°42'31.9" Dec. =-11°50'22.8"
Semi-Diameter = 16'11.4" Semi-Diameter = 16'38.8"
Eq.Hor.Par. = 08.9" Eq.Hor.Par. = 1°01'05.5"
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Polynomial Besselian Elements for: 1961 Feb 15 08:00:00.0 TDT (=t0)
n x y d l1 l2 μ
0 -0.403347 0.808461 -12.71558 0.538777 -0.007324 296.43964
1 0.5614284 0.1430349 0.013946 0.0000575 0.0000572 15.001903
2 -0.0000066 0.0000355 0.000003 -0.0000129 -0.0000129
3 -0.0000094 -0.0000023
Tan ƒ1 = 0.0047328 Tan ƒ2 = 0.0047092
At time t1 (decimal hours), each Besselian element is evaluated by:
a = a0 + a1*t + a2*t^2 + a3*t^3 (or a = Σ [an*t^n]; n = 0 to 3)
where: a = x, y, d, l1, l2, or μ
t = t1 - t0 (decimal hours) and t0 = 8.000 TDT
The Besselian elements were derived from a least-squares fit to elements
calculated at five uniformly spaced times over a six hour period centered at t0.
The Besselian elements are valid over the period 5.00 ≤ t0 ≤ 11.00 TDT.
Note that all times are expressed in Terrestrial Dynamical Time (TDT).
Saros Series 120: Member 58 of 71 eclipses in series.
Predictions for the Total Solar Eclipse of 1961 Feb 15 were generated using the VSOP87/ELP2000-82 solar and lunar ephemerides and a value of ΔT = 33.6 seconds. The accuracy of the northern and southern edges of the eclipse path are limited to approximately 1-2 kilometers due to the lunar limb profile.
All eclipse calculations are by Fred Espenak, and he assumes full responsibility for their accuracy. Permission is freely granted to reproduce this data when accompanied by an acknowledgment:
"Eclipse Predictions by Fred Espenak, NASA's GSFC"
For more information, see: NASA Copyright Information
