The following table contains the Besselian elements for the Partial Solar Eclipse of 1971 Aug 20 .
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 Partial Solar Eclipse of 1971 Aug 20
Non-Central Eclipse
Equatorial Conjunction: 23:50:24.9 TDT J.D. = 2441184.493343
(Sun & Moon in R.A.) (=23:49:43.0 UT)
Ecliptic Conjunction: 22:54:02.4 TDT J.D. = 2441184.454195
(Sun & Moon in Ec. Lo.) (=22:53:20.6 UT)
Instant of 22:39:31.5 TDT J.D. = 2441184.444114
Greatest Eclipse: (=22:38:49.6 UT)
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Gamma = -1.2659 Ephemerides = VSOP87/ELP2000-82
Eclipse Magnitude = 0.5080 Lunation No. = -351
ΔT = 41.9 s Saros Series = 154 ( 4/71)
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. = 09h57m48.0s Moon: R.A. = 09h55m45.7s
Dec. =+12°25'50.7" Dec. =+11°23'25.4"
Semi-Diameter = 15'48.4" Semi-Diameter = 14'56.3"
Eq.Hor.Par. = 08.7" Eq.Hor.Par. = 0°54'49.3"
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Polynomial Besselian Elements for: 1971 Aug 20 23:00:00.0 TDT (=t0)
n x y d l1 l2 μ
0 -0.389789 -1.217148 12.42900 0.562297 0.016079 164.15952
1 0.4639280 -0.2228586 -0.013214 0.0000756 0.0000752 15.003613
2 -0.0000256 -0.0000114 -0.000003 -0.0000100 -0.0000100
3 -0.0000054 0.0000027
Tan ƒ1 = 0.0046219 Tan ƒ2 = 0.0045989
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 = 23.000 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 20.00 ≤ t0 ≤ 2.00 TDT.
Note that all times are expressed in Terrestrial Dynamical Time (TDT).
Saros Series 154: Member 4 of 71 eclipses in series.
Predictions for the Partial Solar Eclipse of 1971 Aug 20 were generated using the VSOP87/ELP2000-82 solar and lunar ephemerides and a value of ΔT = 41.9 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
