The following table contains the Besselian elements for the Partial Solar Eclipse of 1978 Apr 07 .
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 1978 Apr 07
Non-Central Eclipse
Equatorial Conjunction: 14:26:21.8 TDT J.D. = 2443606.101641
(Sun & Moon in R.A.) (=14:25:32.9 UT)
Ecliptic Conjunction: 15:15:58.0 TDT J.D. = 2443606.136088
(Sun & Moon in Ec. Lo.) (=15:15:09.1 UT)
Instant of 15:03:46.6 TDT J.D. = 2443606.127622
Greatest Eclipse: (=15:02:57.7 UT)
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Gamma = -1.1081 Ephemerides = VSOP87/ELP2000-82
Eclipse Magnitude = 0.7883 Lunation No. = -269
ΔT = 48.8 s Saros Series = 148 (19/75)
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. = 01h04m17.8s Moon: R.A. = 01h05m31.3s
Dec. =+06°50'43.3" Dec. =+05°50'22.8"
Semi-Diameter = 15'58.5" Semi-Diameter = 15'32.4"
Eq.Hor.Par. = 08.8" Eq.Hor.Par. = 0°57'02.1"
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Polynomial Besselian Elements for: 1978 Apr 07 15:00:00.0 TDT (=t0)
n x y d l1 l2 μ
0 0.288643 -1.070413 6.84699 0.553960 0.007784 44.45847
1 0.5148588 0.1558476 0.015283 0.0001172 0.0001167 15.004190
2 -0.0000176 0.0000034 -0.000002 -0.0000110 -0.0000110
3 -0.0000069 -0.0000020
Tan ƒ1 = 0.0046705 Tan ƒ2 = 0.0046473
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 = 15.000 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 12.00 ≤ t0 ≤ 18.00 TDT.
Note that all times are expressed in Terrestrial Dynamical Time (TDT).
Saros Series 148: Member 19 of 75 eclipses in series.
Predictions for the Partial Solar Eclipse of 1978 Apr 07 were generated using the VSOP87/ELP2000-82 solar and lunar ephemerides and a value of ΔT = 48.8 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
