The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-05
THE OOMLNG SOLAR ECLIPSE.
Interesting Particulars.

The solar eclipse OF Saturday next will be
total along narrow track Of only about one
hundred and forty miles wide, extending in q
soutbeasterly direction, and more than six
thousand miles long. It begins in Siberia,
where it takes northeasterly course till it
CROSSES q little south OF Behring's Straits,
after which it turns its course southeasterly,
traversing portions Of Alaska, thence into
British America, and through Montana. Dako-
tab. Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, In
diana, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and
North Carolina, ending in the Atlantic Ocean,
of the coast Of the last-mentioned State. In
most parts OF the United STATES the observa-
tion will only cover fve-si1ths Of the suns
dice. It will be only partial in Charleston, and
will continue from FIVE O'Clock until few min
utes before seven o'clock P. n.
It is aaid by Washington astronomers that
mo total eclipse OF the sun has been visible in
any considerable portion OF this country since
1884. and none will be visible after this year
during the present century" In these times
the astromers, instead OF waiting patiently at
their observations for the eclipse to approach
them, which 1t may do il the course Of cen tu-
ries, have acquired the habit OF taking their
observations to the central line of the eclipse.
On this occasion scientific parties will 20 to
various points along the line, some sent by the
United States Government and some by pri-
va:e enterprises. to study interesting problems
relative to the suns physical constitution. To
those who are able to visit the line. or within
the limits Of visibility Of the total phase. it
will be spectacle, il the sky is clear, worth
travelling great distance to behold. The
Riverside Magazine for August has for leading
illustration tinted representation Of the ap-
pearauce OF the earth and sky at the time Of
the total obscuIation. From the letter-2ress
description we take the following sketch Of
this most wonderful sight:
FOR the convenience OF such of our readers
as live within the bet Of country referred to on
the fourth page Of this number. where will be
witnessed on tine 7th instant, the tural eclipse
of the sun, we give q short description Of he
phenomena to be expected. Perhaps some
NAV have sufficient presence OF mind to make
brief notes of what they see. If 90. we shall
be happy to receive the resdlis OF such obser-
vations for COMPARISON. and possible publica-
pearances under the heads three and five,
spy-glass or small telescope will be necessary
to reveal them to satisfaction.
1. When the sun IS more than three-fourths
hidden by the dark disc OF the moon, per-
ceptlb,c gloom is thrown Oh the land cape
around. Soon alter the sky appears to de-
scead, the horizon TO contract, the temperature
OF the air falls, birds cease their singing, flow.
ers close, an unearthly greenish aud reddish
light is impaired TO portions OF the sky, sud-
den darkness ensues aud everything wears
mysterious and gloomy aspect.
2. Immediately before the last trace OF til e
suu's disc disappears, the q yful shadow Of
the moon in the air. may be detected rapidly
approaching from tho west like dark Column
or sonbre cloud. TO witness this impressive
sight care must be exercised, lest, in the ex-
citement OF the moment. the swiftly approach
ing shadow be nnheeded.
s. The last thread of light from tho SUMS
disc sometimes appears 10 separate into little
grains or beads b.fore i.s total disappearance.
This phenomena has received the name Of
s.Baiiy Beads" from the noted astronomer who
first witnessed it.
4. Instantly on the extinction Of the sun will
be seon the grandest feature Of the eclipse
the corona. or crown OF light issuing on all
sides apparently from the purple-black disc OF
the moon, though in reality Fl o n the sun. 1t
is the atmosphere of the sun rendered visible
by the absence Of the overpower1ng sunlight.
AS the light is dazz!ingly white, piece OF
smoked glass will enable ou to survey it With
out the inconvenience which might otherwise
arise.
5. In the corona, and issuing also apparent
" from the dark moon, there will appear seve-
raj rose-colored flames projecting beyond the
gloomy disc, perhaps tenth Of the diameter
of the moon. They too, belong to the sun.
and are demonstrated by the spectroscope to
be mcand escent hydrogen. With every eclipse
they vary in size, numb ,r, shape, position and
depth of color.
6. Planets and large stars are o'tea noted
dutlng total eclpses by those who have prevl-
ously studied their positions on celestial
map. As the darkness hardly exceeds that OF
q mooalie ht night, they are not always readily
found IN The two or three plrutes Of gloom
that attend the entire "bseuratiou OF the sun.
By little study Of the map at the commence
meut OF this number one may ba able to re-
cognizc the mos; cons. icuous planets and stars
that will be visible.
When the sun reappears the phenomenon
Of Daily's Beads should be again looked for
this time on the riaht side OF the moons disc.
The awful shad wv will afterwards be seen sail
ing rapidly away in the air to the eastward
Then follow the changes Of color in the sky
and landscape. the rising OF the thermometer
and q general awakening Of nature, and the
wonderful exhibition is over.
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