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The following key describes each of the fields in the local circumstances tables for Solar Eclipses from Major Cities.
Column Heading Definition/Description
1 Date Local calendar date of eclipse (at maximum eclipse). Gregorian Calendar is used for dates after 1582 Oct 15. Julian Calendar is used for dates before 1582 Oct 04.
2 Eclipse Eclipse Type is composed of two components: Type global and local classification of the eclipse. The global eclipse class is determined by whether the Moon's umbral shadow intersects Earth's surface at any point during the eclipse. There are four global eclipse types: P = Partial A = Annular H = Hybrid (both annular and total) T = Total The local eclipse class is simply the type of eclipse observed from the city or location. It can be any of the global eclipse types but is expressed in lower case. The tabulated Eclipse Type gives the global type followed by the local type (lower case) separated by a colon. For example, the total eclipse of 1991 Jul 11 was seen as a partial eclipse from Chicago, so the Eclipse Type for that city would be T:p.
3 Eclipse Local time when the eclipse begins. Begins If the time is followed by r, it means that the eclipse is already in progress at sunrise and the time given is when the Sun's lower limb is on the eastern horizon (just after sunrise).
4 Maximum Local time when the eclipse reaches its maximum magnitude. Eclipse If the time is followed by r, it means that the eclipse is at its maximum at sunrise and the time given is when the Sun's lower limb is on the eastern horizon (just after sunrise). If the time is followed by s, it means that the eclipse is at its maximum at sunset and the time given is when the Sun's lower limb is on the western horizon (just before sunset).
5 Eclipse Local time when the eclipse ends. Ends If the time is followed by s, it means that the eclipse is still in progress at sunset and the time given is when the Sun's lower limb is on the western horizon (just before sunset).
6 Sun The Sun's altitude (degrees) above the horizon at Maximum Eclipse. Alt
7 Sun The Sun's azimuth (degrees) measured eastward from true north Azm at Maximum Eclipse.
8 Eclip. Eclipse magnitude is the fraction of the Sun's diameter Mag. covered by the Moon at the instant of Maximum Eclipse. For partial and annular eclipses, the magnitude is always less than 1. For total eclipses the magnitude is equal to 1.
9 Eclip. Eclipse obscuration is the fraction of the Sun's area Obs. covered by the Moon at the instant of Maximum Eclipse. For partial and annular eclipses, the obscuration is always less than 1. For total eclipses the obscuration is equal to 1.
10 Last The number of years elapsed since the last eclipse was visible Eclipse from this city/location.
11 Dist. When the global type of an eclipse is total or annular, this is the Center distance (km) of the city/location from the center line of the umbral path.
12 Dist. When the global type of an eclipse is total or annular, this is the Edge distance (km) of the city/location from the edge of the umbral path. This value is negative when the city is within the annular or total path.
13 Special Comments draw attention to major partial eclipses, or to nearby Notes annular and total eclipse paths. For annular and total eclipses, the duration of annularity or totality as seen from the city/location is given.
Eclipse Predictions & WebMaster: Fred Espenak e-mail: espenak@gsfc.nasa.gov Planetary Systems Branch - Code 693
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