The following table contains the Besselian elements for the Annular Solar Eclipse of 1972 Jan 16 .
The geographic coordinates of the eclipse path are in the Path Table . The global visibility of the eclipse is shown on an Orthographic Map . The features of this map are described in the Key to Solar Eclipse Path Tables. The path of the eclipse is displayed in greater detail on a Google Map .
Besselian Elements for the Annular Solar Eclipse of 1972 Jan 16
Equatorial Conjunction: 10:33:15.2 TDT J.D. = 2441332.939759
(Sun & Moon in R.A.) (=10:32:32.9 UT)
Ecliptic Conjunction: 10:53:05.3 TDT J.D. = 2441332.953533
(Sun & Moon in Ec. Lo.) (=10:52:23.0 UT)
Instant of 11:03:22.3 TDT J.D. = 2441332.960675
Greatest Eclipse: (=11:02:40.0 UT)
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Gamma = -0.9365 Ephemerides = VSOP87/ELP2000-82
Eclipse Magnitude = 0.9692 Lunation No. = -346
ΔT = 42.3 s Saros Series = 121 (58/71)
Lunar Radius k1 = 0.272488 (Penumbra) Shift in Δb = 0.00"
Constants: k2 = 0.272281 (Umbra) Lunar Position: Δl = 0.00"
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Geocentric Coordinates of Sun & Moon at Greatest Eclipse (VSOP87/ELP2000-82):
Sun: R.A. = 19h49m32.3s Moon: R.A. = 19h50m37.0s
Dec. =-21°03'34.9" Dec. =-21°55'10.9"
Semi-Diameter = 16'15.5" Semi-Diameter = 15'40.7"
Eq.Hor.Par. = 08.9" Eq.Hor.Par. = 0°57'32.5"
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Polynomial Besselian Elements for: 1972 Jan 16 11:00:00.0 TDT (=t0)
n x y d l1 l2 μ
0 0.232155 -0.907792 -21.05789 0.556478 0.010288 342.61105
1 0.5207708 0.1513675 0.007394 -0.0001214 -0.0001208 14.997729
2 -0.0000342 0.0001880 0.000005 -0.0000114 -0.0000113
3 -0.0000071 -0.0000022
Tan ƒ1 = 0.0047537 Tan ƒ2 = 0.0047301
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 = 11.000 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 8.00 ≤ t0 ≤ 14.00 TDT.
Note that all times are expressed in Terrestrial Dynamical Time (TDT).
Saros Series 121: Member 58 of 71 eclipses in series.
Predictions for the Annular Solar Eclipse of 1972 Jan 16 were generated using the VSOP87/ELP2000-82 solar and lunar ephemerides and a value of ΔT = 42.3 seconds. The accuracy of the northern and southern edges of the eclipse path are limited to approximately 1-2 kilometers due to the lunar limb profile.
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
