The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-26
ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF 1854,
It's Appearance Progrsss, and DNrnxisn-D Di-
rortaons for Observing It-EcIipsos Histori-
c0Ay Considered.

rorsaons for Observing It-EcIipsos Histori-
CaAy Considered.
This day there will be eclipse Of the stn visible
throughout the Unitsd States and annuian. in part
of the Territories of Washington and Minnesota, of
Vsncouvsrs Island, Canada and of the States
OF Vermont, New Hampshire, Malne and Masscci,u-
setts. The eclipse is sailed annular on account
Of the ring Of light which is formed by the outer
edge OF the being visible when she penumbrs or
shadow of the moon Is passing over it. Eclpses of this
kind are of very occurrence and it is this fact
which renders ts particular poculiary interest
ing. In Pans only takes place between 1907 and
1900 while here will be fssored with less than
four between 17i5 and 1901. The first second OF
these have already taken place. having been seen on the
I'd OF April 179l ard June e 1906 The third will
come of this day and the fourth on September % 1876
This last eclipse will be less favorable for astronomical
deductions than the present. and hence the opportunity
now offered will be extensively improved, both for the
qualification of curiosity and the accomplishment of
scientific purposes.
In letter from Mr. John Randel Jr published in the
Herald of the 18th inst he announces the oxtraord
nary fact that the magnetic needle which had progress
ed annually from the west towards the nsrth at the
rate OF three minutes OF degree for than one
years. prior to the annuar eclipse Of the
10th june 1906 did within one week from that date
recedc from the north towards the fortyve min
ues VI oeRree whcn IL equal TO the whole distance il
had advanced from the west towards the north in the
fifteen years preceding that scipse Whether the same
varietion will take place in Che needle on this occasion
remains to be seen.
Should the sky be clear at the time of the phenome.
non observers cannot be careful about viewing It, ex
cept through glasses deeply colored that they will
perfectly Rotect the eye from the effect of solar light
and heat In consequence of the want of sufficient eau
ton in this respect at the time the last yery large
eclipse in this vicinity February 1884, the sight of many
persons was so much injured to be seriously impaired
long afterwards, or even at the expiration Of many
months.
The best glasses fon the purpose are the darkest of
those which usually accompany telescope or sextant
but piece of window pane, free from veins and rem
dered SO black (not browned) by the smoke Of lamp
that the sun, through it, will appear without anv
scntllation will very well Where the ecpse ia
annuar an opera glass with It's small lens or that
nearest the eye backened in this manner will be found
very useful for observing the forming breaking of the
ring the phenomena attending which generally high
ly beautiful
Even when the observation is greatest much dininu
on OF the light is not to be expected or not than
IN cloudy day. Mars is the only planet that can posi-
bly, be seem and at the time OF the greatest obscuron
s bearing will be about south by east and its altitude SIS
degrees Sirius, the brightest Of the stars will OF the
same time bear about southwest at elevation near
" 20 degrees but it is not probable that either can be
found without the aid of telescope.
The following is table of the eclipses which were
visible IN this country from the year 1924 up the pre-
sent time The hours count from NJ tha. 10 means
"A. M