The following table contains the Besselian elements for the Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 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 Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20
Equatorial Conjunction: 00:00:16.2 TDT J.D. = 2456068.500188
(Sun & Moon in R.A.) (=23:59:08.5 UT)
Ecliptic Conjunction: 23:48:08.1 TDT J.D. = 2456068.491760
(Sun & Moon in Ec. Lo.) (=23:47:00.4 UT)
Instant of 23:53:53.6 TDT J.D. = 2456068.495759
Greatest Eclipse: (=23:52:45.9 UT)
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Gamma = 0.4828 Ephemerides = VSOP87/ELP2000-82
Eclipse Magnitude = 0.9439 Lunation No. = 153
ΔT = 67.7 s Saros Series = 128 (58/73)
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. = 03h52m43.0s Moon: R.A. = 03h52m30.7s
Dec. =+20°13'15.1" Dec. =+20°39'06.3"
Semi-Diameter = 15'48.1" Semi-Diameter = 14'43.3"
Eq.Hor.Par. = 08.7" Eq.Hor.Par. = 0°54'01.7"
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Polynomial Besselian Elements for: 2012 May 20 00:00:00.0 TDT (=t0)
n x y d l1 l2 μ
0 -0.002266 0.485524 20.22056 0.566487 0.020248 180.85658
1 0.5031828 0.0560538 0.008271 -0.0000312 -0.0000311 15.000578
2 0.0000183 -0.0001411 -0.000005 -0.0000097 -0.0000097
3 -0.0000057 -0.0000006
Tan ƒ1 = 0.0046205 Tan ƒ2 = 0.0045974
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 = 0.000 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 21.00 ≤ t0 ≤ 3.00 TDT.
Note that all times are expressed in Terrestrial Dynamical Time (TDT).
Saros Series 128: Member 58 of 73 eclipses in series.
Predictions for the Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012 May 20 were generated using the VSOP87/ELP2000-82 solar and lunar ephemerides and a value of ΔT = 67.7 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
