Solar limb darkening function and solar diameter with eclipses observations

Abstract

We introduce a new method to perform high resolution astrometry of the solar diameter from the ground, through the observations of eclipses. A discussion of the solar diameter and its variations is linked to the Limb Darkening Function (LDF) using the luminosity evolution of a Baily's Bead and the profile of the lunar limb available from satellite data. The inflexion point of the LDF is defined as the solar limb. The method proposed is applied for the videos of the eclipse in January, 15, 2010 recorded by Richard Nugent in Uganda and Andreas Tegtmeier in India. An upper limit for the inflexion point position has been set for that eclipse.