Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-11-27
80 per annum.
S per annum.
From The American Almanac for 1884.

GsEAr ECLIPSE OF THE SUN- ne moStreLnaTk-
able of the phenomena that in this year (lS34)
will happep, is the Eclipse Of the Sun, on Sun
day the 3Oth November. This is the third OF
the very uncommon series of five large eclipses
visible to US in the short term of seven years;
the 9TH Of this series will take place May 10Th,
1885, and the last, Sept 18th, 1888.
The eclipse of the present year Will dououess
receive great attention throughout our country;
In those places where its magnitude VIII exceed
eleven digets, much diminution o. tne heht Is
not to be expected even at the time OF It's great
est observation, perhaps, however, may w
Sufficient to- render visible the planet venus;
then about 30 degrees E. >. T.. OIL the pun, anu
--mnch nearer earth than usual-nor will the OBJ
scnrations be very great where the eclipse is al
mos, total: since it has been observed on Tor
NOR occasions that the ecpsed part even when
rejuced TO point, sheds sufficient light to make
small objects visible, and invisible the brightest
of the stars. Indeed, on account oil the rerac-
tion of the SUMS rays by the atmosphere of the
earth the darkness can hardly with strlctness De
considered total even when the Sun is complete
Nv shut out from sight. In the great and re-
markable eclipse Of June 10th, 1906, when the
Sun was totally obscured at Boston, Tor nve NIL
nutes, as much light remained as is given by the
moon when full; and greater darkness Will not
probably be experienced In any place on the
present occasion.
throughout the United States, however, a
great depression Of the thermometer, If placed
in the Sun, will probably be noticed; and for
some minutes before and after the moment OF
the greatest observation the power OF lens TO
produce combustion, by condenslng the solar
rays, will be quite, if not entirely destroyed
At the time of the Annular Eclipse of Februa-
nv 18th. 1881, il was observed by the Editor
that the thermometer in the Sun, fell from 73 to
20, and during the continuance OF the ring, NJ
sensible effect was produced by placing its
blackened bulb to the focus OF powerful burn
ing glass. a.
patb of the centre, will be total in small part
of the Territory of Arkansas, and OF the States
of Mississippi Alabama Georgia. and dI South ,sn
obscurity will probably be complete, are charles
ton. Beaufort, S. g., Savannah,-Milledgev
Tuscaloosa, and Little Rock. The greatest du-
ration of total darkness in any place will be al
Tuscaloosa and Beaufort-these places lying
near the central path. At Charleston and Sa-
vannab. the duration will be considerably less,
the former being situate about forty miles north
of this path, the latter about thirty south.
The width Of the line of total darkness varies
in its passage across the earth, but in the United
States will be about one hundred miles. Those
of The Atlantic States, who desire to behold this
rare spectacle, the most magnificent and suollme
of the phenomena of nature, compared with
which even the Niagara sinks into mediocrity
will find Beaufort the most eligible place IN
which to make their observations, and they Will
not neglect this opportunity when tney renect
that the Moons shadow will not again, for the
space of thirty Ave years, pass over any part
of the habitahle portions Of the United States,
or until August 7th, 1860.
As, at the time Of the eclipse of February,
1881, much Inconvenience and even INJURY was
sustained from want of care In looking at the
Sun without protection for the eye, or through
glass not sufficiently colored il may be proper to
remark, that should the sky, during the continu-
ance OF the eclipse be clear, one OF the very
darkest green or red glasses OF sextant, and
in default Of this, piece of common window
glass, free from veins, & rendered quite black by
the smoke OF lamp, only can be used with safe
ty. 1.-THE lustre of the Sun should be diminished
by anv intervening clouds, lighter shade will
be sufficient