Plotting the Path on Maps

If high resolution maps of the umbral path are needed, the coordinates listed in Tables 7 and 8 are conveniently provided in longitude increments of 1° and 30' respectively to assist plotting by hand. The path coordinates in Table 3 define a line of maximum eclipse at five minute increments in Universal Time. If observations are to be made near the limits, then the grazing eclipse zones tabulated in Table 8 should be used. A higher resolution table of graze zone coordinates at longitude increments of 7.5' is available via a special Web site for the 1999 total eclipse. Global Navigation Charts (1:5,000,000), Operational Navigation Charts (scale 1:1,000,000) and Tactical Pilotage Charts (1:500,000) of many parts of the world are published by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (formerly known as Defense Mapping Agency). Sales and distribution of these maps are through the National Ocean Service (NOS). For specific information about map availability, purchase prices, and ordering instructions, contact the NOS at:

         NOAA Distribution Division, N/ACC3     phone:  (301) 436-8301
         National Ocean Service                 FAX:    (301) 436-6829
         Riverdale MD 20737-1199, USA

It is also advisable to check the telephone directory for any map specialty stores in your city or metropolitan area. They often have large inventories of many maps available for immediate delivery.

ONC (Operational Navigation Charts) series maps have a larger scale (1:1,000,000) than GNC's appearing in this publication. However, their use here would serve to increase an already record size eclipse bulletin. Instead, we offer a list of ONC maps for plotting the path using data from tables 7 and 8. In particular, the path of totality crosses the following ONC charts:

ONC E-1England
ONC E-2France, Germany, Austria
ONC F-2Austria, Hungary
ONC F-3Romania, Turkey
ONC G-4Turkey, Syria, Iraq
ONC G-6,H-7Iran
ONC H-8Pakistan, India
ONC J-9India
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