Local Circumstances Tables

Local circumstances from approximately 400 cities, metropolitan areas and places in Africa, Asia, the Indonesian archipelago and Australia are presented in Tables 8 through 15 (cf. the list of Tables). Each table is broken down into two parts. The first part, labeled a, appears on even numbered pages and gives circumstances at maximum eclipse[4] for each 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 (<15deg.). The Universal Time of maximum eclipse (either partial or total) is listed to an accuracy of 0.1 seconds. If the eclipse is total, then the umbral duration and the path width are given. Next, the altitude and azimuth of the Sun at maximum eclipse are listed along with the position angles P and V of the Moon's disk with respect to the Sun. Finally, the magnitude and obscuration are listed at the instant of maximum eclipse. Note that for umbral eclipses (annular and total), the eclipse magnitude is identical to the topocentric ratio of the Moon's and Sun's apparent diameters. Furthermore, the eclipse magnitude is always less than 1 for annular eclipses and equal to or greater than 1 for total eclipses.

The second part of each table, labeled b, is found on odd numbered pages. It gives local circumstances at each eclipse contact for every location listed in part a. The Universal Time of each contact is given along with the altitude of the Sun, followed by position angles P and V. These angles identify the point along the Sun's disk where each contact occurs and are measured counter-clockwise from the north and zenith points, respectively. Locations outside the umbral path miss the umbral eclipse and only witness first and fourth contacts. The effects of refraction have not been included in these calculations, nor have there been corrections for center of figure or the lunar limb profile.

Since the track of this eclipse is especially narrow (<80 km), few cities actually fall within the path. Locations were chosen based on general geographic distribution, population, and proximity near or within the central 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). 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.

[4] For partial eclipses, maximum eclipse is the instant when the greatest fraction of the Sun's diameter is occulted. For umbral eclipses (total or annular), maximum eclipse is the instant of mid-totality or mid-annularity.
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