Explanation of Central Eclipse Path Tables

by Fred Espenak

The following table contains brief explanations for the columns in the path tables for central solar eclipses (total, annular andd hybrid eclipse paths).

Explanation of Central Eclipse Path Tables
Column Description
UT1The Universal Time (UT1) of the eclipse coordinates and circumstances
Northern LimitThe Latitude and Longitude of the northern edge of the central path of the umbral or antumbral shadow
Southern LimitThe Latitude and Longitude of the southern edge of the central path of the umbral or antumbral shadow
Central LineThe Latitude and Longitude of the central line of the central path of the umbral or antumbral shadow
M:S
Ratio
The ratio of the apparent diameters of the Moon and the Sun at the given time; This value is less that 1.0 for annular eclipses, and greater than or equal to 1.0 for total eclipses
Sun
Alt.
The altitude of the Sun from the central line at the given time (corresponds to maximum eclipse at that position).
Sun
Azm.
The azimuth of the Sun from the central line at the given time (corresponds to maximum eclipse at that position).
Path
Width
The width of the central path (in kilometers) at the given time.
Central
Duration
The duration of the central phase (either annular or total) from the central line at the given time.