Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-17
ON roLIpsEs OF THE SUN.

Protestant.
ON EcLIpsEs OF THE SUN.
Total eclipses of the sun are the most sub
lime of celestial phenomena. Such an e.
clipse occurred on the 28th ult.; but 1T was
not total IN the United States. Indeed such,
eclipses are very seldom seen in the same
portion of the earth. For example, of those
visible in the United States, the last occur
red in 1906, which is well recollected by
many persons, while the next will not oc-
cur until 1869. A complete annual eclipse
will be seen in part of the United States
in May, 1854.
The utility of eclipses is much greater
than is generally supposed by the public
The concurrence of the predicted and actu-
al times of their commencement and terml-
nation, affords most accurate proof OF the
correctness of the theories by which they
were predicted. The comparison OF recent
with ancient eclipses has proved that there
has been an acceleration of the moons mean
motion. The observation of eclipses (more
especially those of the moon, is means
and one frequently used, of determining the
longitudes of places.
Chronology has derived very great assist
ance from eclipses. In the writings OF many
ancient historians, many events are record
ed as having happened about the time when
certain eclipses of the sun and moon occur
red. By means of astronomy, the time OF
the occurrence of any eclipse can be deter,
mined with perfect accuracy. And thus, II
of any event it is recorded that it happened
at certain time before or after an eclipse
of which an approximate time is given the
true date of that event is correctly deter
mined. Many instances might here be glv-
en- but two will be sufficient.
In the writings of Josephus, it is stated
that on the night succeeding the death of
Herod, there was an eclipse of the moon.-
The record of this event, which is the only
one mentioned by Josephus, in any OF his
writings, is of the greatest Importance, since
it determines the time of the death OF Her
cd, and of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Again: in the history of Herodotus, re-
cord is made of an eclipse of the sun, which
occurred during battle between the Lydi-
ans and Medes. The day was suddenly
changed into night; the terrified armies
ceased from their contest and made peace.
Heroditus does not record the date OF this
event, except in mentioning that it was IN
the sixth wear of the war between the ma
tons. Astronomy is thus called upon to
determine the exact time of this event.
This task is rendered, to some extent, more
difficult, since Heroditus does not record
the place or part of the country where the
armies were contending. Hence, as might
be supposed, different computers OF the e.
vent have been led to entertain different O.
pinions of its exact time and place. How
ever. the learned Mr.. Baily has conclusive
ly shown that an eclipse which could cause
so great darkness, must have been total (;
and hence it is required to determine at
what time total solar eclipses occurred in
that region. According to his calculations,
this eclipse took place September 3oth,
B. C. 610.
In the total eclipse Of 1S42, MIR. Bally
was at tPavia. The eclipse was IN the morn
ing. As he was watching the phenomena
he says, "Iwas astounded by tremendous
burst of applause from the streets below, and
al The same moment was electrified by the
sight of one of the most brilliant and splen-
did phenomena than can be imagined. For,
at that instant, the dark body OF the moon
was Suddenly surrounded with corona, or
kind of bright glory similar in shape and
relative magnitude to that which painters
draw around the heads of saints, and which
by the French is designated an aureoh.
''Pavia contains many thousand inhabi-
tants, the greater part of whom were at
this early hour walking about the streets
and square, in order to witness this long
talked of phenomenon, and when the total
obscuration took place, which was insian-
taneous, there was a universal shout from
the observers which made the welkin ring,
and for the moment withdrew my attention
from the object with which was immedi;
ately employed.
II had, indeed, anticipated the appear
ance of a luminous circle round the moon
during the time of total obscurity, but die
not expect, from any of the accounts of pre-.
vious eclipses that | had read, to witness Sc
magnificent an exhibition as took place.
-Cambridge Chronicle.