Besseliam Elements for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2020 Dec 14

Fred Espenak

The following table contains the Besseliam elements for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2020 Dec 14 .

The geographic coordinates of the eclipse path are listed 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 2020 Dec 14

Equatorial Conjunction: 16:19:21.9 TDT J.D. = 2459198.180115 (Sun & Moon in R.A.) (=16:18:12.4 UT) Ecliptic Conjunction: 16:17:44.3 TDT J.D. = 2459198.178985 (Sun & Moon in Ec. Lo.) (=16:16:34.8 UT) Instant of 16:14:39.4 TDT J.D. = 2459198.176845 Greatest Eclipse: (=16:13:29.8 UT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gamma = -0.2939 Ephemerides = JPL DE405 Eclipse Magnitude = 1.0254 Lunation No. = 259 ΔT = 69.5 s Saros Series = 142 (23/72) Lunar Radius k1 = 0.272508 (Penumbra) Shift in Δb = 0.00" Constants: k2 = 0.272281 (Umbra) Lunar Position: Δl = 0.00" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Geocentric Coordinates of Sun & Moon at Greatest Eclipse (JPL DE405): Sun: R.A. = 17h30m05.9s Moon: R.A. = 17h29m54.3s Dec. =-23°15'32.3" Dec. =-23°32'58.8" Semi-Diameter = 16'14.9" Semi-Diameter = 16'23.7" Eq.Hor.Par. = 08.9" Eq.Hor.Par. = 1°00'10.4" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Polynomial Besselian Elements for: 2020 Dec 14 16:00:00.0 TDT (=t0) n x y d l1 l2 μ 0 -0.181827 -0.269642 -23.25776 0.543881 -0.002266 61.26593 1 0.5633549 -0.0858121 -0.001986 0.0000970 0.0000966 14.996498 2 0.0000217 0.0001884 0.000006 -0.0000126 -0.0000125 3 -0.0000089 0.0000015 Tan ƒ1 = 0.0047502 Tan ƒ2 = 0.0047266 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 = 16.000 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 13.00 ≤ t0 ≤ 19.00 TDT. Note that all times are expressed in Terrestrial Dynamical Time (TDT). Saros Series 142: Member 23 of 72 eclipses in series.


   Instant of 
Greatest Eclipse:       Time =  16:13:29.8 UT       Lat = 40°20.1'S      Long = 067°57.6'W
      (GE)               Sun Altitude =  72.7°          Path Width =  90.2 km
                          Sun Azimuth =  10.3°    Central Duration =   02m09.7s


   Instant of 
Greatest Duration:      Time =    16:13:36 UT       Lat =   40°21'S      Long =   067°55'W
      (GD)               Sun Altitude =  72.7°          Path Width =  90.2 km
                          Sun Azimuth =  10.1°    Central Duration =   02m09.7s


Additional Links: Total Solar Eclipse of 2020 Dec 14


Eclipse Predictions

Predictions for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2020 Dec 14 were generated using the JPL DE405 solar and lunar ephemerides and a value of ΔT = 69.5 seconds.

Acknowledgments

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


Solar Eclipse Links

2014 Feb 24