The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-05
THE OTHER WORLDS.
Scientific Results OF Observations OF the
Late Eclipse-Conhagration in the
Sun-BiIlows OF Flame $4,000 Miles
High, SC.

A lecture was delivered last week in Brook
lyn. N. Y, by Professor Eaton, in which q
very interesting account was given Of the sci
entific observations Of the recent eclipse, made
by a number of astronomers at Burlington,
Iowa. After describing the arrival Of the
party of observers, with their appurtenances,
boxes, instruments, &C., at the chosen spot,
and the processes of adjusting the four great
instruments employed, preparatory to the
event, the lecturer continued:
The location chosen was height of l73 feet
above the Mississippi River; the skies were
clear almost to the horizon. All that was
of a star for thirty minutes, to aid in the ad-
iustment of the telescopes. Throughout the
Sny preceding the eclipse, the object was to
ret eyery telescope focused on the sun. In
due time the bride, the Queen of Night, moved
to her appointed place and arrayed herself in
gorgeous attire. All eyes were strained 10 the
Utmost, and in three minutes the eclipse OF
1869 was gone forever.
No painter could portray, no pen describe
the prandness of that scene. The largest tel
escope was from the Philadelphia High Schooi,
to take photographs. Next In importance was
that wonderful modern instrument, the spec
troscope. The former was moved by clock,
the latter by screw flash OF nghC was
enough for a picture. Now as to the objects
to be seen. The observers were especlaliy 10
search for the new inter-Mcrcurial planet.
Leyerrier suspected its existence, and searches
had been continued since 1859. Another OBJ
iect was to scrutiniZe the corona, or oridal
veil. Another to examine the wonderful pro-
tuberances, or rosy flames, when shoot out
from the SUN in all directions. The observa-
tions made were very accurate and successful.
A Iirnp fO no
in analyzing light from various sources, FRO
fessor f. spoke of the processes OF obtaining
sun pictures, the calculation being to take one
eyery second The spring which declared the
nicture complete simultaneously closed an elec-
trio current. thereby recording the instant OF
time. To show the exceeding accuracy re-
ouired, the speaker observed that every OBJ
server has his 'spersonal equation," which
means the time consumed In comprehendlng
fact. in other words the interval OF time that
masses between seeing an object, and wEen tne
observer makes up his mind that he sees 1t.
The corona was seen to consist of thin sheet
of flame-pure white light, reaching out aoout
the diameter Of the sun; on the top, Drllllant
rays darting out into space. The suddenness
with which it appeared is astonishing. 1t burst
like a blaze of glory behind the moon. Rose
colored flames appeared next, like prairie on
fire. One protuberance resembled the antlers
Of an elk; another, and the grandest IN meas
urement, proved to be no less than 10, o0O mlies
in height-a mountain offlame, its base lou, 6OO
miles long. Attention was rivetteo y,,,as Dy nne
sight Another was like huge caterpillar
creeping along the edge of the SUMS disc, sup
posed to be mighty sheet of fire.
What are these protuberances! The spec
troscope shows that one ray indicates hydro
gen gas, another iron, &c. These facts go to
show that the corona is not what 1t was sus-
pected to be-rehected light. On the contrary
Il ip1r In n6
| its own light. Our telescopes, until within two
wears, led US oil astray. The so-called nebule
of the heavens, instead Of being distant groups
of worlds, were incandesccnt gas, as shown by
the spectroscope. A star once brilliant, but
afterwards extinguished, disclosed not only q
heated ball, but burning gas. we can now see
what the suns veil is made OF. We can ana
I'VE the sun. We have sixteen different lights,
representing as many metals, most Oh Wnlcn
would be identified. He was happy to say that
not the slightest trace of gold had been dlscoV-
cred. [Sensation.l
The physical phenomenon OF the ecllps,e,
formed the next topic. The thermometer leli
during its continuance with extraordinary zap,
idity. Had it continued to fall twenty-iouf
honrs at the same rate-had there been an
other Joshua to have heightened the period
the earth would have frozen two feel deep;
Animals in the pasture prepared Tor sleep, ailu
fowls went to rOost, but soon came do~n looh- 1,
ing very much ashamed; they had peen soiu.
One of the most surprising things was shower
of meteors which various observers mistook
for flight of thistle-down.
The effect on the mind, Of all the phenomena m
attending the eclipse, would never oe S snaceu 'e,;
| 1t seemed as though some terrible ana awiu
danger was impending. He was Impressed
and bewildered, Intoxicated by the excitement
| of all surrounding circumstances
In the year 1901 there would be another tots,
eclipse. Some of those present would be SUI,
living. The speaker begged all such to SO ano
see it, He had travelled through Europe; pul
excepting the crater of Vesuvius, he had rather
lose all than that grand sight OF three minutes
i on Burlington Heights.