The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1860-07-11
NEVADA DEMOCRAT
THE ECLIPsE OF JULY Isth 1890.

On Wednesday next, July 18th, occurs the
total eclipse of The eun, which has excited con
siderable interest in the scientific world. The
observation will be total 10 the people of Wash
ington Territory, but to observers in California
the eclipse will only be partial. The line Of
central and total eclipse begins in the Pacific
ocean. southwest Of the mouth Of the Columbis
river, from thence Il runs easterly, and north
erly through Washington Territory, Briti,h
America and Hudson's Bay, then bends south.
erly, crosses the Atlantic, runs through Spain,
Northern Africa, aud ends BY the Red Sea.
What renders this eclipse matter of more
than usual interest to meu Of science is The fact
that tue planets Mercury, Venus. Jupiter aud
Saturn, will appear in the immediate vicinity
of the sun at the time, forming rhOmboidal
figure. The position of these planets Is thus de-
scribed by gentleman connected with the Gin
cinnati Observatory
At the time OF totaIity, Venus will be seen
about five degrees snnih Of the sun Jupiter
eight degrees east of him. aud Mercury and
Saturn at distances of iweuty.six aud thirty de.
grees east. These four planets will form a
rhomboid-ihe angles at Venus aud Saturn be-
ing nearly equal. For the benefit of those who
are interested ia the subject. we give the follow
ing data. with which they eau readily construct
the figure:
Distances From Venus to Mercury, 25 de-
grees; Mercury TO Saturn, 8 degrees; Saturn to
Jupiter, 22 degrees; Jupiter to Venus, 10 de-
grees
Angles-At Venus. SO degrees; at Mercury,
l54 degrees; at Saturn, 33 degrees, aud at Ju-
piter, l40 degrees.
Where the eclipse is total these planets will
present a splendid appearance, being so near
together that they can he taken in at glance,
and the geUmeIrical 6gure seen as though il
were in reality marked out in the heavens.
The same writer adds, respecting the phenom-
enOn:
We have a tradition in Cbiuese history that
during the reign OF Cheweni all the planets
were in conjunction and NJ. Bailly. in his Traitc
de FAarOaopie hd,snne." has told us that Ju-
piter, Saturn, Mars aud Mercury we're seen in
conjunction q short time after sunset on the 2SIb
Of February, 2449. before Christ This was II
very remarkable phenomenon, and one of 50
much interest to the ancients that the Chinese
made il the basis of their calculations
The approaching phenomenon is one of no
! less Interest, though ii may be OF no pracIical
utility. Indeed, there should be a greater in-
terest attached to it, from the fact that it will
never again be repeated; we say never, because
il is extremely probable tba! some millions of
years will elapse before these bodies will again
occupy the same relative positions.
The comet which has lately been visible in
the north west will add still greater Interest to
the eclipse. "Caxton," in q communication
published iu the Butte Record, says that the
comet will reach its perehelion about the 18Th
inst, aud will be visible during the eclipse in
the east.north-east. Many scientific institutions
in the United States aud other countries, have
fitted out expeditions to proceed to the most fa-
vorable points for viewing the eclipse, and it is
probable that the observations will lead to
some important discoveries in astronomical sci
euce.
To Observers in California, the sun will rise
eelpsed, consequently persons wishing TO see it
must be up before sunrise.