Preface

Single copies of the bulletins are available at no cost by sending a 9 x 12 inch, self-addressed, stamped envelope with postage for 12 oz. (340 g.). Detailed instructions and an order form can be found at the back of this publication. The 2006 bulletin uses the World Data Bank II (WDBII) mapping data base for the path figures. WDBII outline files were digitized from navigational charts to a scale of approximately 1:3,000,000. The data base is available through the Global Relief Data CD-ROM from the National Geophysical Data Center. The highest detail eclipse maps are constructed from the Digital Chart of the World (DCW), a digital database of the world developed by the U.S. Defense Mapping Agency (DMA). The primary sources of information for the geographic database are the Operational Navigation Charts (ONC) and the Jet Navigation Charts (JNC). The eclipse path and DCW maps are plotted at a scale of 1:2,000,000 to 1:7,000,000 in order to show roads, cities and villages, lakes and rivers, making them suitable for eclipse expedition planning.

The geographic coordinates data base includes over 90,000 cities and locations. This permits the identification of many more cities within the umbral path and their subsequent inclusion in the local circumstances tables. Many of these locations are plotted in the path figures when the scale allows. The source of these coordinates is Rand McNally's The New International Atlas. A subset of these coordinates is available in a digital form which has been augmented with population data. The bulletins have undergone a great deal of change since their inception in 1993. The expansion of the mapping and geographic coordinates data bases have improved the coverage and level of detail required by eclipse planning. Some of these changes are the direct result of suggestions from the end user. You are encouraged to share comments and suggestions on how to improve the content and layout in subsequent editions. Although every effort is made to ensure that the bulletins are as accurate as possible, an error occasionally slips by. We would appreciate your assistance in reporting all errors, regardless of their magnitude.

We thank Dr. B. Ralph Chou for a comprehensive discussion on solar eclipse eye safety. Dr. Chou is Professor of Optometry at the University of Waterloo and he has over thirty years of eclipse observing experience. As a leading authority on the subject, Dr. Chou's contribution should help dispel much of the fear and misinformation about safe eclipse viewing.

Dr. Joe Gurman (GSFC/Solar Physics Branch) has made this and previous eclipse bulletins available over the Internet. They can be read or downloaded via the World-Wide Web from Goddard's Solar Data Analysis Center eclipse information page

The NASA Eclipse Home Page provides general information on every solar and lunar eclipse occurring during the period 1901 through 2100. An online catalog also lists that date and basic characteristics of every solar and lunar eclipse from 2000 BC through AD 3000. The "world atlas of solar eclipses" is a recent addition which shows the path of every central solar eclipse over the same five millennium period.

In addition to the synoptic data provided by the web site above, a special page devoted to the 2006 total solar eclipse has been set up. It includes supplemental predictions, figures and maps which could not be included in the present publication.

Since the eclipse bulletins have size limits, they cannot include everything needed by every scientific investigation. Some investigators may require exact contact times which include lunar limb effects or for a specific observing site not listed in the bulletin. Other investigations may need customized predictions for an aerial rendezvous or near the path limits for grazing eclipse experiments. We would like to assist such investigations by offering to calculate additional predictions for any professionals or large groups of amateurs. Please contact Espenak with complete details and eclipse prediction requirements.

We would like to acknowledge the valued contributions of a number of individuals who were essential to the success of this publication. The format and content of the NASA eclipse bulletins has drawn heavily upon over 40 years of eclipse Circulars published by the U. S. Naval Observatory. We owe a debt of gratitude to past and present staff of that institution who performed this service for so many years. The numerous publications and algorithms of Dr. Jean Meeus have served to inspire a life-long interest in eclipse prediction. Prof. Jay M. Pasachoff reviewed the manuscript and offered many helpful suggestions. Dr. David Dunham helped update the information about eclipse contact timings. Internet availability of the eclipse bulletins is due to the efforts of Dr. Joseph B. Gurman. The support of Environment Canada is acknowledged in the acquisition of the weather data.

Permission is freely granted to reproduce any portion of this publication, including data, figures, maps, tables and text. All uses and/or publication of this material should be accompanied by an appropriate acknowledgment (e.g. - "Reprinted from NASA's Total Solar Eclipse of 2006 March 29, Espenak and Anderson, 2004"). We would appreciate receiving a copy of any publications where this material appears.

The names and spellings of countries, cities and other geopolitical regions are not authoritative, nor do they imply any official recognition in status. Corrections to names, geographic coordinates and elevations are actively solicited in order to update the data base for future bulletins. All calculations, diagrams and opinions are those of the authors and they assume full responsibility for their accuracy.

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