Local Circumstances Tables

Local circumstances from approximately 280 cities, metropolitan areas and places in Asia are presented in Tables 8 through 12. Each table is broken down into two parts. The first part, labeled a, appears on left or even numbered pages and gives circumstances at maximum eclipse 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 (<10°). The Universal Time of maximum eclipse (either partial or total) is listed to an accuracy of 0.1 seconds. Next, the position angles P and V of the Moon's disk with respect to the Sun are given, followed by the altitude and azimuth of the Sun at maximum eclipse. Finally, the corresponding eclipse magnitude and obscuration are listed. For umbral eclipses (both annular and total), the eclipse magnitude is identical to the topocentric ratio of the Moon's and Sun's apparent diameters. The eclipse magnitude is always less than 1 for annular eclipses and equal to or greater than 1 for total eclipses. The final column gives the duration of totality if this location passes through the Moon's umbral shadow.

The second part of each table, labeled b, is found on right handed or 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 position angles P and V as well as the altitude of the Sun. The position 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 any corrections for center of figure or the lunar limb profile.

While this eclipse path is quite wide (~370 km), few cities fall within the path since it passes through a relatively unpopulated region of Asia. Locations were chosen based on general geographic distribution, population, and proximity to the 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.

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