The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-17
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
II q Il I p s. h.
n M,1ntv shadow 60 Veil In the Sun,
H nintha tha Earth In DhEkAsaa.
,rrorAL LOCAL ITEMS sEn INSIDE PAeEs,l


night the moon near the period of sunrise in |
India will pass over the sun and create solar |
eclipse lasting fully six minutes and from forty
10 6ity seconds. 1t will be the most remark |
able solar eclipse that has taken place within
historic times or that will take place for many
hundreds of years. A black shadow upwards
of l40 miles in diameter, surrounded by
penumbra 1000 miles wide, will sweep from the
eastern parts OF Africa across the ARABIAN sea,
the Indian peninsula, and the East Indian
Archipelago-a distance of more than SOOO
Solar eclipses are caused by the earths passing
into the shadow OF the moon. AS the moon is
much smaller than the sun, Its shadow runs
rapidly to point aud never covers more than
q small portion OF the earth; hence the pheno-
meuon OF a total eclipse is very rarely seen.
But as the cone of the moons shadow Is sur
rounded by larger inverted cone OF penumbra,
D. e., of space in which the moon lntercepts
part OF the light, the opportunities OF seeing
partial eclipse of the sun are mucn more ire
quent. The instant of entering the penumora
is sharply defined by an apparent lndentatlon III
the limb of the sun, and that OF entering tue
shadow by the total disappearance OF the sun:
The records SOL oL ecDees PTobabIv the first
well.Ubserved eclipse was one when TOOK place
MAY II, 1706: but concerning this phenomena
we have no accurate data, because the records
refer chiefly to such effects as were visible TO
the naked eye, Another solar eclipse occurred
in l7l5, and one in l773. In lSi2 occurred
total eclipse of the sun OF several minutes
duration, ard i'm 1851 the earth was darkened by
another solar eclipse. The shadow paths of
most of these eclipses passed over Europe. In
1860 occurred the famous eclipse which was
most taVorably visible in accessible parts OF
Spain Observations made at this time by the
most eminent astronomers OF Europe, settled in
the affirmative the long disputed point whether
there were red protuberances OF the sun. Inc
question as 10 what these rosy promineuees
consist sot will doubtless be partially If not
wholly, solved by the discoveries In connection
with the 18th OF August eclipse.
The average apparent dimensions OF the sun
exceed those of the moon. But both bodies vary
in apparent magnitude the moon more than the
sun. Perhaps many Will be surprised TO learn
that we receive fully onc-fourth more light from
some full moons than from others, owing to the
variation of her apparent magnitude, Accord
ingly, when she is at her largest, and the sun at
his smallest, she is able to hide him wholly from
our view, and considerably to overlap his disc
all round.
In the approaching solar eclipse the sun
being near its apogee, will in diameter appear
comparatively small, while the moon being in
its perigee will have large apparent diameter.
The moon being besides i'll its ascending node,
its cone OF shadow will pass over the equator,
whereby the time of the eclipse will be much
PROLONGED. 1t is estimated from scientific
observations that the eclipse will occupy an
area of 20O0 miles in length and thirty miles In
width. Its extraordinary duration - nearly
seven mlnutes-will enable astronomers to make
the most extended observation and research,
and ought to afford more satisfactory results in
scientific investigation than any celestial phe.
nomenon ever witnessed by man.
There is cause for regret IN the circumstance
that this marvellous spectacle can only be wit
messed in situations tar removed from the
worlds centre of civilization; for the shadOwy
path of the moon passes over India, the Malay
Peninsula and the Oriental Islands. The eclipse
commences on the island OF Perrin, which is
situated in the Gulf of Cambay, Hindostan,
about ten miles southeast Of Cogo, maritime
town of British India; appearing about sunrise
at Alden, a seaport town of Arabia, on the east
side OF Cape Alden. In the course OF the morn
ing the spectacle passes over the western
part of the East Indies, reaching the
Tenass erin Provinces, in Farther lndia ABOUT
noon, thereafter passing over Borneo, Celebes,
and many other islands of the Malaccas, reach
ing New Guinea about sundoWn. But the eX-
treme remoteness OF the fields OF observation
has in no wise deferred scientific men from
preparing to witness this rare phenomenon on
the grandest possible scale. Expeditions for
observations have been equipped IN various
parts of Europe under the guidance OF the most
eminent men of science, expensive instruments
have been purchased, Governments have fur
nished funds with the greatest prodigality
scientific societies have contributed the mos
material assistance, and there is reason tC
expect that the results will amply repay all the
labor and thought that have been expended.
The scientific men of England have organized
Two expeditions respectively under the auspices
of the Royal, and the Royal Astronomical Socle
ties, with Lieutenant Herschel Ia son of SlrJohn
at the head OF the former, and Major Tenant il
charge of the latter. Austria sends out an eXpe
ditlon. The French Government sends out NJ
Jansen, the eminent observer, at the head OF {
well appointed expedition. The Pope sends ou
Fatler SeCCQl. certainly Jl6 6CupSS Will u
we'll watched-uuless the weather should unfor
itunately prove un aVorable. Nor will observer
at home be altogether idle. Toe careful survey O
She suns disc for several days before and after tn
great eclipse will doubtless be carefully ATTENDED
TO by eminent students OF solar physics, III
English astronomers have chosen the East Indie
rs their district for observation, and the officer
of the survey staff will be dispersed along tn
track of the eclipse well supplied with all tn
appliances necessary for taking the most elabo
rate views. The French expedition will be sta
toned on the Malay Peninsula principally q
Halacca. The Austrian astronomers will b.
located at the Arabian town OF Alden, thei
scene OF operations, however, extending muo
further along the path OF the eclipse. The othe
expeditions will be scattered over India.
There are many perpleXing problems in astrc
nomy that Will DOUBTLESS be cleared up by tn
results of observations during the approachin
eclipse. Perhaps the most important thing
determine, and to the settlement of which tn
most acute scientific skill will be directed
relative TO the exact nature OF the red eXcr6
SCIENCES upon the sun, whether they be solid q
gaseous, and whether the light by which th
sun seems surrounded is original or reelected
Another point TO be determined ii possible
whether there exists an unknown planet bC
tween Mercury and the sun, a belief that h6
been @ long time current in astronomical mind
To this matter the attention of the SdUdns az
CON pauyIng the French expedition will be spt
ciallydirected. Total eclipse al ways affords oppo
tunities tor making interesting observations .
physical phenomena and on the emotions
the animal tribes, the most singular optics
effect being the occasional issuing of TOs
Golored flames from the sun during the tot
phase Unlucklly the southwest mOnso )n wi
be at its full height about August 10, and wit
itE heavy clouds may render observations eitht
uncertain or impossible, except on the easter
side of the mountain ranges But if tn
anticipated difficulty does not intervene, an
the weather otherwise proves favorable, we ms
hot bp Na Of tbat trra