Besseliam Elements for Total Solar Eclipse of 2038 Dec 26 (original) (raw)

Fred Espenak

The following table contains the Besselian elements for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2038 Dec 26 .

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 path of the eclipse is displayed in greater detail on an Google Map.

Besselian Elements for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2038 Dec 26

        Equatorial Conjunction:     01:02:10.5 TDT     J.D. = 2465783.543178
          (Sun & Moon in R.A.)    (=01:00:47.5 UT)

         Ecliptic Conjunction:      01:03:10.5 TDT     J.D. = 2465783.543871
         (Sun & Moon in Ec. Lo.)  (=01:01:47.4 UT)

              Instant of            01:00:09.5 TDT     J.D. = 2465783.541777
           Greatest Eclipse:      (=00:58:46.5 UT)


        --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                    Gamma = -0.2881            Ephemerides = VSOP87/ELP2000-85
        Eclipse Magnitude =  1.0269           Lunation No. =     482
                       ΔT =    83.0 s         Saros Series =  142 (24/72)

        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/ELP2000-85):

        Sun:       R.A. = 18h18m51.7s         Moon:      R.A. = 18h18m46.7s
                   Dec. =-23°21'47.9"                    Dec. =-23°39'05.2"
          Semi-Diameter =    16'15.7"           Semi-Diameter =    16'25.8"
            Eq.Hor.Par. =       08.9"             Eq.Hor.Par. =  1°00'18.1"

        --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
        Polynomial Besselian Elements for:   2038 Dec 26   01:00:00.0 TDT  (=t0)

          n        x          y         d          l1         l2          μ

          0  -0.020663  -0.287343  -23.36258   0.543507  -0.002618  194.92212
          1   0.5698440 -0.0379715   0.001481  0.0000867  0.0000863  14.996375
          2   0.0000017  0.0001916   0.000006 -0.0000126 -0.0000126
          3  -0.0000079  0.0000007

                         Tan ƒ1 = 0.0047537    Tan ƒ2 = 0.0047300

        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 =  1.000 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 22.00 ≤ t0 ≤  4.00 TDT.

        Note that all times are expressed in Terrestrial Dynamical Time (TDT).

               Saros Series 142:  Member 24 of 72 eclipses in series.

Greatest Eclipse and Greatest Duration

Instant of Greatest Eclipse: Time = 00:58:46.5 UT Lat = 40°16.5'S Long = 163°56.9'E (GE) Sun Altitude = 73.0° Path Width = 95.3 km Sun Azimuth = 4.5° Central Duration = 02m18.2s

Instant of Greatest Duration: Time = 00:58:03 UT Lat = 40°15'S Long = 163°37'E (GD) Sun Altitude = 73.0° Path Width = 95.3 km Sun Azimuth = 6.2° Central Duration = 02m18.2s

Eclipse Predictions

Predictions for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2038 Dec 26 were generated using the VSOP87/ELP2000-85solar and lunar ephemerides and a value of ΔT = 83.0 seconds. The luanr coordinates have been calculated with respect to the Moon's Center of Mass. They DO NOT include a correction to the Center of Figure, or the effects of mountains and valleys along the edge of the Moon.

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