Local Circumstances Tables

Local circumstances for approximately 940 cities, metropolitan areas and places in the Western Hemisphere, Europe and Africa are presented in Tables 9 through 21. In addition, local circumstances for 118 astronomical observatories listed in the Astronomical Almanac for 1996 are given in Table 22. These tables give the local circumstances at each contact and at maximum eclipse for every location. The coordinates are listed along with the location's elevation (meters) above sea-level, if known. If the elevation is unknown (i.e. - not in the data base), then the local circumstances for that location are calculated at sea-level. In any case, the elevation does not play a significant role in the predictions unless the location is near the umbral path limits and the Sun's altitude is relatively small (<10°). The Universal Time of each contact is given to the nearest second, along with position angles P and V and the altitude of the Sun. The position angles identify the point along the Sun's disk where each contact occurs and are measured counter-clockwise (i.e. - eastward) from the north and zenith points, respectively. Locations outside the umbral path miss the umbral eclipse and only witness first and fourth contacts. The Universal Time of maximum eclipse (either partial or total) is listed to the nearest second. Next, the position angles P and V of the Moon's disk with respect to the Sun are given, followed by the altitude and azimuth of the Sun at maximum eclipse. Finally, the corresponding eclipse magnitude and obscuration are listed. For umbral eclipses (both annular and total), the eclipse magnitude is identical to the topocentric ratio of the Moon's and Sun's apparent diameters. The eclipse magnitude is always less than 1 for annular eclipses and equal to or greater than 1 for total eclipses. The final column gives the duration of totality if this location lies in the path of the Moon's umbral shadow. The effects of refraction have not been included in these calculations, nor have there been any corrections for center of figure or the lunar limb profile.

Locations were chosen based on general geographic distribution, population, and proximity to the path. The primary source for geographic coordinates is The New International Atlas (Rand McNally, 1991). Elevations for major cities were taken from Climates of the World (U. S. Dept. of Commerce, 1972). The coordinates for astronomical observatories are from the Astronomical Almanac for 1996. In this rapidly changing political world, it is often difficult to ascertain the correct name or spelling for a given location. Therefore, the information presented here is for location purposes only and is not meant to be authoritative. Furthermore, it does not imply recognition of status of any location by the United States Government. Corrections to names, spellings, coordinates and elevations is solicited in order to update the geographic data base for future eclipse predictions.


Next section

Table of Contents