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Saros Cycle Eclipse Explorer 3D vs alternatives
The Saros Cycle Eclipse Explorer 3D shows the westward-stepping ground-track pattern across a whole series in the browser - eclipse almanacs win for exact historical and future dates; astronomy textbooks win for the full orbital-mechanics derivation.
| Option | Strength | Access | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saros Cycle Eclipse Explorer 3D (this page) | Step-by-step westward-shift pattern, exeligmos jump, all-tracks view | Free, in browser | Teaching approximation; not a live ephemeris or a specific eclipse's exact path |
| NASA GSFC eclipse catalog (Espenak) | Exact dates, paths, and series numbers for every real eclipse | Free, published reference | No interactive 3D stepping scene |
| Astronomy textbooks | Full derivation of the saros period from lunar/solar periods | Free/paid, education-focused | No 3D teaching scene |
Key published figures
| Figure | Value |
|---|---|
| Saros period | 6,585.32 days = 18 years 11 days 8 hours |
| Shift per eclipse | about 120 degrees west |
| Exeligmos (triple saros) | 54 years 34 days |
| Series length | 69-87 eclipses, about 1,226-1,550 years |
Start with the step-by-step guide or when to use. Open the Saros Cycle Eclipse Explorer 3D.
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