How do scientists make 'eclipse maps'?

How do scientists calculate the August 21 issue of a total solar eclipse in the US? Where do they know that there will be many solar eclipses from now until 2040?

Solar eclipses follow a rule called the Saros cycle , which lasts about 18 years 11 days and 8 hours and is controlled by the Moon's orbit .

The Moon also followed this cycle, noticed by the Mesopotamians of Mesopotamia around 500 BC.

Twice a total eclipse of 'brothers' separated by a period of about 18 years. For example, a total solar eclipse like this year will take place around September 2, 2035. They will take place almost the same latitude this year and the distance from the Moon to Earth is almost the same. together.

In theory, perhaps more than 18 years later, another total eclipse occurred throughout the United States. However, due to the 8 hours of extra time in the Saros cycle, the location of the eclipse will change. Because in 8 hours, the Earth has turned 1/3 around its axis.

The map predicts the next solar eclipse - (Graphic: A. Buki; source: F. Espenak).

According to Science News, this cycle continues, creating a total eclipse system, called the Saros chain . A series lasting about 12-15 centuries including more than 70 total solar eclipses.

When eclipses belong to different Saros sequences, their paths may be the same, the eclipse of 2019 and 2037 is an example. Their path is wider at the two poles because then the moon's shadow reaches Earth with a very sharp angle.

'Predicting and mapping past and future solar eclipses allows scientists to study common characteristics in the cycle of this exciting astronomical phenomenon, including the Saros' cycle, Fred. Espenak the astrophysicist who worked for NASA said.

In addition, Espenak and his colleague Jean Meeus, a retired Belgian astronaut, mapped the path of the total solar eclipse from 2,000 BC to 3,000 AD.

'When I was 18, I pleaded to get more family driving from south New York to North Carolina to see the solar eclipse that took place in 1970. From there, I went to five continents just to see the total eclipse' , Espenak shared.

According to him, mapping will help researchers find other interesting things from this interesting natural phenomenon. It will also support astronomers like him to have a ' eclipse ' eclipse schedule.