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Courtesy Fred Espenak
Eclipse Star Maps

and how to make them

Star Maps (by date of eclipse)

All star positions are given in coordinates for epoch 2000.
We are grateful to Hipparcos and the Simbad database for this information.

Star map of the Dec. 14, 2020 solar eclipse.


Gravitational Deflection Maps

These maps are an adaptation of our existing star maps. Gravitational deflections are represented as radial lines centered on the Sun and are proportional to the amount of gravitational deflection expected. Two or three of the brightest stars in the field have also been labeled in each map.

Gravitational deflection map of the Mar. 09, 2016 solar eclipse.


Star Maps and Mercury

Because it is close to the Sun, Mercury is never very far away during a total eclipse. The table below shows the range of distances (in degrees) between Mercury and the Sun during the next few solar eclipses.

Year Distance (deg)
2012 8.4375466
2015 18.547277
2016 13.252403
2017 10.165003
2019 22.229893
2020 3.6501720

In 2020, Mercury comes within a 5 degree radius from the sun, which is depicted in the star map below.

To download the .eps file click here.