Does a solar eclipse gamma of 0 mean eclipse goes through 90° altitude?

I
Thread starter swampwiz
Start date Apr 13, 2019
Tags

Altitude Eclipse Gamma Mean Solar

In summary, a solar eclipse gamma is a way of measuring the angle between the center of the moon's shadow and the center of the Earth during a solar eclipse. It is calculated using the formula γ = tan^-1 (R/r), where R is the radius of the Earth and r is the distance between the centers of the Earth and the moon. A solar eclipse gamma of 0 means that the moon's shadow passes directly over the center of the Earth, resulting in a total solar eclipse. However, this does not always mean the eclipse will pass through 90° altitude, as the altitude will depend on the specific location where it is being observed. The solar eclipse gamma does not directly affect the visibility of the eclipse, as other factors

Apr 13, 2019

swampwiz

This is my understanding.

Astronomy news on Phys.org

Apr 15, 2019

davenn

Science Advisor

Gold Member

2023 Award

swampwiz said:

This is my understanding.

this is wiki's comment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_(eclipse)

1. What is a solar eclipse gamma?

A solar eclipse gamma is a measure of the angular distance between the center of the Moon's shadow and the center of the Earth. It is used to determine the type and path of a solar eclipse.

2. What does a gamma of 0 mean for a solar eclipse?

A gamma of 0 means that the center of the Moon's shadow passes through the Earth's equator. This type of eclipse is known as an equatorial eclipse.

3. Does a gamma of 0 guarantee a total solar eclipse?

No, a gamma of 0 does not guarantee a total solar eclipse. It only indicates that the center of the Moon's shadow passes through the Earth's equator. The type and duration of the eclipse also depend on the size and position of the Moon's shadow.

4. How does a solar eclipse with a gamma of 0 differ from other types of solar eclipses?

A solar eclipse with a gamma of 0 is different from other types of solar eclipses because the center of the Moon's shadow passes through the Earth's equator. This results in a unique path and duration of the eclipse.

5. Can a solar eclipse with a gamma of 0 be seen from all parts of the Earth?

No, a solar eclipse with a gamma of 0 can only be seen from certain parts of the Earth. The path of the eclipse will determine which areas will experience totality or partial eclipse.