The following table contains the Besselian elements for the Annular Solar Eclipse of 1918 Dec 03 .
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 1918 Dec 03
Equatorial Conjunction: 15:23:11.5 TDT J.D. = 2421931.141106 (Sun & Moon in R.A.) (=15:22:50.8 UT) Ecliptic Conjunction: 15:19:13.0 TDT J.D. = 2421931.138345 (Sun & Moon in Ec. Lo.) (=15:18:52.3 UT) Instant of 15:22:01.5 TDT J.D. = 2421931.140296 Greatest Eclipse: (=15:21:40.8 UT) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gamma = -0.2387 Ephemerides = VSOP87/ELP2000-82 Eclipse Magnitude = 0.9383 Lunation No. = -1003 ΔT = 20.7 s Saros Series = 131 (45/70) Lunar Radius k1 = 0.272488 (Penumbra) Shift in Δb = 0.00" Constants: k2 = 0.272281 (Umbra) Lunar Position: Δl = 0.00" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Geocentric Coordinates of Sun & Moon at Greatest Eclipse (VSOP87/ELP2000-82): Sun: R.A. = 16h36m17.1s Moon: R.A. = 16h36m14.7s Dec. =-22°03'17.0" Dec. =-22°16'22.7" Semi-Diameter = 16'13.6" Semi-Diameter = 15'00.0" Eq.Hor.Par. = 08.9" Eq.Hor.Par. = 0°55'03.1" --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Polynomial Besselian Elements for: 1918 Dec 03 15:00:00.0 TDT (=t0) n x y d l1 l2 μ 0 -0.199048 -0.230566 -22.05195 0.568833 0.022582 47.57164 1 0.5149374 -0.0217324 -0.005960 -0.0000788 -0.0000784 14.997283 2 0.0000263 0.0001556 0.000006 -0.0000103 -0.0000103 3 -0.0000061 0.0000002 Tan ƒ1 = 0.0047449 Tan ƒ2 = 0.0047213 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 131: Member 45 of 70 eclipses in series.
Predictions for the Annular Solar Eclipse of 1918 Dec 03 were generated using the VSOP87/ELP2000-82 solar and lunar ephemerides and a value of ΔT = 20.7 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"
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