The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-07-29
-. co,,,ve EcfpsE.-The eress

eclipse of the snn Of August 7th will b
observed by a scientific expedition re
gently ordered to be sent out to Alasks
and Siberia. This eclipse will be the
most interesting that has occurred, Oh
will occur in the United States fol
many years. 1t becomes total first upon
the earth in Siberia, at sunrise, in SO de.
grees AZ minutes north latitude, and in
| l65 degrees 26 minutes west Longitude
from Washington. The eclipse is total
at noon in Alaska, in 81 degrees a. min
utes north latitude, and So degrees S
minutes west longitude. The line OF
the total eclipse then runs southeast
erly, grazing the coast of North Ameri-
ca, near sitka, thence running off into
British America, and again entering the
United States near the origin of Milk
river, in 80 degrees west longitude,
thence through the southwest corner of
Minnesota, and diagona1ly through
Iowa, crossing the Mississippi river
near Burlington, Iowa, thence through
Illinois, just north of Springfield, and
crossing the Ohio river near Louisville,
Ky. From this point the line of total
eclipse passes through the southwest
corner of Virginia, through North Car
olina, just south Of Raleigh, thence to
Newbern, and entering the Atlantic just
north of Beaufort, N. c., and ending at
sunset in the ocean. The observations
by the scientific corps sent to Alaska
will be highly interesting, not only in
an astronomical point of view, but will
settle many questions in reference to
the suns atmosphere and to the proper
ties of light.
At this point the eclipse will COM
mence at about twenty minutes to five
O'Clock and will continue nearly an
heur. As We are north of the cline of
rotality" as astronomers call it, no par
ticular observations will be made here,
but the eclipse will not be postponed on
that account nor on account of the
weather.
Coast survey parties are now engaged
in tho determination of the ATTITUDES
and longitudes of number of points
in the Western States, which will be
occupied as eclipse stations. These
points are all selected 80 as to lie within
the cline of totality," which is one hun
dred and forty miles in breadth, and ex-
tends from Alaska to North Carolina.
While the eclipse will be visible III all
parts of North America, it will be par
tial at points without this line.
At Boston the eclipse will occur at
about sunset. The centre of the line OF
t-tality passes through the city of
Springfield, ILL.,, and quite near Des
Moines City, Iowa; both of these sta
tions, as we'll as many Others, will be &C.
cupied by Coast Survey parties.
In response to petition from the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences,
Congress has appropriated the sum Of
five thousand dollars, and placed it at
the disposal of Prof. Coffin, Director of
tho Nautical Almanac, to be used by
him in defraying the expenses attend
ing the organization of q number of
parties for the purpose of observing the
eclipse.
Professor Joseph Winlock, Director of
Harvard Observatory, is making ar
gements for q very complete set of
observations to be made at Shelbyville,
Kentucky. He will devote himself per-
sonally to observations with the spec
troscope, while corps of able assist
ants will make other important observa-
tions. A very valuable contribution to
science may safely be predicted from
party under the direction Of 80 distin-
guished an astronomer.
The duration of the total phase of the
eclipse will vary from three minutes and
forty seven seconds to two minutes and
twenty three seconds, according to the
geographical position of the station
occupied.
Proceeding westward, the interval
between the eclipse and sunset increases,
and at Springfield, Illinois, it is more
than an hour. Observers on the Pacific
coast will, therefore, have more favor
able time for making observations than
those eastward.
The best protection for the eye from
the power of the suns rays in viewing
the eclipse may be made by cementing
together pieces of glass of different col
ors. Three colors will probably be
found tho best-red, green and blue. A
few trials with the sun in view will de-
termine the most suitable combination
Let these be cut into squares of, say one
inch, and cemented together with white
rosin, softened to the consistency OF
chewing gnm, by adding spirits turpen-
tine to it. Other cements may be found,
but this is a cheap aud good one. Care
should be taken to have the best faces
of the glass on the outside of the shade.
Glass smoked by holding it over the
fame of . candle or oil lamp was for
merly used for the same purpose, but
one had to be careful and keep the
smoked side uppermost or not unlikely
the nose would appear as if eclipsed.
FINE JEwELRY.-Oxteby a. Dufhela
Jewellers, l03 Main street, have just re-
ceived large additions to their stock OF
fine Jewelry. The goods received are
direct from manufacturers, and embrace
all the latest designs, having been made