The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-08-05
Random ThOughts---NO. 20.
BY THE EDITOR.


On Saturday of this week, the great eclipse OF
the sun will take place. Il is the first total
eclipse since the year 1884, and the last that will
occur during this century. remember the
great eclipse OF 1884, although it was not total
in this county The eclipse on Saturday will
be much the same here. The sun wi look like
tho new moOu only the sharp points will c ONE
much further around, and come nearer together
than the points Of the new moon
There are three kinds If eclipse, partial, an
nular aud total. A partial eclipse is where theI
moon ohly covers part of the sun on one sidef
The surface of the sun Is divided into twelT
equal parts, called digits, aud partial eclipse
is said to cover SO many digits, either on the
suns nothern or southern limb, as 1t Is called.
An annular eclipse is where the moon passes oV-
er the centre of the sun, but Instead of hiding
the sun, leaves bright ring of the sun ysi-
be all around the moon. A total eclipse is
where the moon entirely covers the sun. Now
1t might it be asked, why does the moon some
times cover the entire surface Of the sun and
sometimes leave ring on Its outer edge visible
will try 10 explain this.
The earth, in going around the sun once In a
year, does not described true circle, but an
elpse. Take "a round hoop and SGT 1t on the
ground and press on the top of 1t. This will give
the shape OF the earth's path. Place the sun, in
your imagination. nearer to ono end off this oval
hoop than to the other and there IL where II Is In
winter When the earth gets nearer to the sun
10 ,.d
farther of, being about tour millions ofmiles far
ther from the sun on the first of July, than 1t Is
on the first Of January. The sun Is very much
larger than the moon. When Its rays pass he
moon, they converge to point. Take plat 9
twelve inches In diameter and set 1t on table.
Take another plate only six inches In diameter
and hold 1t just twelve Inches above the larger
plate, and take straight 81 ticks and let them touch
the outer edges Of both plates You see the
sticks come together some distance above the
smaller plate. Now lei your large plate be rails
ed two inches and the sticks will come togeth-
er much sooner. The large plate, at twelve
inches from the other, may represent the
sun July 1st, and OF ten inches, Jan. 1st. The
small plate Is the moon, and the sticks the ray US
of the sun. When the sun Is farthest from the
earth, the shadow Of the moon docs not come
to point, or the rays of the sun do not meet,
until some 100000 miles beyond the earth.
When tn is shadow strikes the earth, 1t is about
160 miles wide, as 1t passes over. This shadow
of the moon Is called its umbra. The eclipse on
Saturday being q month after the sun is farthest
from the earth, and as 1t Is getting little near
er, the umbrd Is about 143 miles wlde and with
in that path, the sun will be entirely hidden. In
the winter, as said, the sun is four m illons Of
miles nearer the earth than 1t is in July, and its
rays, after passing the moon, come to point be-
fore they reach the earth and consequently
ring of the sun Is seen around the edge Of the
moon. This Is is an annular eclipse. Do you
see 1t Take your plates for an illustration.
Place your eye above where the sticks, Suns
rays come TO point, and you can see ring of
the larger plate, (the SUM around the edge of
the smaller plate (the moon.) But place your
eye belOw the point where the sticks meet, and
you cannot see any part of the larger plate, as II
Is concealed entirely by the umbra, or shadow
Of the small plate.
Isaw an annular eclipse once. 1t was cold,
clear, winter day. do not remember In what
year 1t occurred, but think 1t must have been
as long agoas 1880 or 1881. remember that
when the sun shone through a key hole, or any
opening into the room, 1t did not make round
spot, as usual, but ring.
Now let everybody, old and young, prepare
for the great eclipse on Saturday. Take apiece
of common window glass and smoke 1t over
burning pine. Ifyou have no pine, put a stick
in tar, then set 1t on fire, and smoke tho glass
until the sun looks like the moon. and does not
injure the eye. Do not look at the sun with the
naked eye. Ills very injurious, and you can.
not tell much about the eclipse In this way.
Have your glass ready in the morning, and lean
1t up against something so the smoke will not
get rubbed off, The eclipse at this place will
commence about half past four, by the town
clock, and will continue about two hours.
D.M.