There was a total solar eclipse over South America earlier today. The centre was located at 40° 43’S 64° 59’ W. Totality started at 16:43, ended at 16:45 UT.

I don’t know if there is an airport close but enter those coordinates into a plan and fly over that position at that time and upload pics showing the sun and moon. Let’s see how accurate the astronomical data is.

This is the path of totality. https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2020-december-14

The sim does kinda support the moon passing in front of the sun, but I don't believe it causes a shadow on the ground.

Just now, Tuskin38 said:

The sim does kinda support the moon passing in front of the sun, but I don't believe it causes a shadow on the ground.

I wouldn’t expect that level of accuracy. I’m more interested in the position of the sun and moon.

It seems to be depicted in the sim https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/solar-eclipse-is-happening-now-took-off-from-scotland/335570

Never expected that MSFS will go down to that kind of level of detail, amazing!

Edited December 14, 20205 yr by omarsmak30

It's not 100% accurate

Edited December 14, 20205 yr by Tuskin38

Always nice when a flightsim makes you aware of something like this. Now I don't know if it should be visible in northern France or London (where shots were taken).

6 minutes ago, omarsmak30 said:

It seems to be depicted in the sim https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/solar-eclipse-is-happening-now-took-off-from-scotland/335570

Never expected that MSFS will go down to that kind of level of detail, amazing!

The eclipse path was limited to South America. Nothing would have been visible in the northern hemisphere. The position of the sun and moon aren’t even close to their actual positions. 😌

5 minutes ago, Tuskin38 said:

It's not 100% accurate, the moon just grazes the sun

And that was using the coordinates in my post was it? Thanks. I can’t really see anything except a white blob.

Just flew out or Madeira and it was partially visible.

3 minutes ago, DylanM said:

Just flew out or Madeira and it was partially visible.

That confirms the position of the sun and moon aren’t remotely accurate. Is it worth raising the issue with Asobo? There should be plenty of info available on the web to get the positions of these bodies more accurate than that.

18 minutes ago, Tuskin38 said:

It's not 100% accurate

You’re updated shots show reasonable accuracy, thanks. But people are saying the eclipse is visible thousands of miles away in the North Atlantic. That’s barmy.

Thinking about it a little more I suspect the size of the sun and moon may be larger than they should be. That might explain why the eclipse is visible over such a large area.

Do you want me to uninstall MFS ? Is that it ? 😎

1 minute ago, jcomm said:

Do you want me to uninstall MFS ? Is that it ? 😎

Why would you ask such a question? Do as you wish.

5 minutes ago, Ray Proudfoot said:

Why would you ask such a question? Do as you wish.

Because correct ephemeris are a must for the uninstaller, in any flightsim ! 🙂

Jokes apart, thx for bringing this interesting detail to the forum. I had tested the Moon and it appeared to be acceptably modelled, but didn't check any eclipses so far.

Edited December 15, 20205 yr by jcomm