New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-06

minutes"
This latter statement strengthened by the indepen-
dent testimony of the photographs taken at Alden and at
GunOor, for as Mr. De La Rue states, "a comparison
OF the two makes it evident that change in the
direction Of the Great Horn had occurred in the lapse OF
40 minutes"
Important the conclusions already arrived at,
much remains be learned the last number Of the
Monthly Notices OF the Royal Astronomical Society,
Qondon) Is an extract from letter from j. Baxendan
In which he says:
"Receut observations and discoveries indicate very
clearly that this is not an appendage OF the sum-
counted tori In con versation had some weeks ago
with Prof Roscoe the subject reminded MIN that IN
paper which read TO the Literary ana Pm0sophleal
Society in March, 1864 giving the results Of discussion
Of an Immense number Of magnetca and temperature
showed that these results could be explained by
Stunning the existence OF irregular nebuous ring crcu
and at mean distance Of Sss; and suggested him
that the reflection of the sums light from the matter
the corona in total solar ecipses."
Mr. Baxenda proceeds 10 show the improbablity that
the be the result OF reflection from the earths
atmosphere from any possible atmosphere upon the
moons surface New observations must determine TINS
point
For the benefit OF those readerswhO may have the priv
ege OF witnessing the totaty the chief points OF popu
lar interest," and those also which be seen by the
naked eye are briefly recaptulated as follows:
l. The changes in the color Of the sky and the clouds
and in the colors shades OF tho distant landscape
and also of obecs The approach and retreat of
the dark shGOtc which may be stated approximately 70
be at the rate mile second 8. The degree OF dark
meas during the totally, its effect upon animals and
plants and whether stars be SEEM and If 90, how
many what stars and OF what color The corona, or
halo Of hight, which surrounds the moon, and which
usually appears three four seconds previous 10 the
total extinction of the suns light and continues visible
for about the Same interval after its temperance In
general 1t may be compared to the nimbus commonly
painted around the heads Of the saints To the naked
eye. the appears to start out from the
dark body OF the moon just at the moment OF total
eclipse 1t is the most startling and impressive incident
OF the ecpse-the climax Of the whole phenomenon-and
perhaps the most thrilling effect in nature. The rose
eOlored projections which appear around the margin OF
the moons disk, often Though not aways visible to
the naked eye The sDhecity OF the moon, which has
been projected upon the bright sky; also,
the effect Of the moons hanging out ~ the sky between
the earth and the sun. and sometimes apparently very
near the former. The moments OF the fou= contacts
should noted by all who have even small glasses and
who can obtain the correct time aud should be conmu
nicated to Prof. stephen Alexander Of Princeton NJ j.
who is chairman Of the committee on this eclipse ap
pointed by the National Academy OF Sciences.
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Commodore B. f. Sands Superintendent United States
Observatory has issued circular to meteorological OBJ
servers along the line Of totally, in which he says:
AS the United States observatory Is TO have all us
available force in the field, expecting to contribute us
full share Of labor this occasion. it is desirable that
during the eclipse OF the meteorological observations
should be made within the belt of totaty with baro-
eter, dry bulb thermometer wetbulb thermometer
solar thermometer with blackened bulb inclosed II pos
sibe in glass cylinder from which air has been e1'
hausted. and actionometer.
The barometer should be suspended in the shade, and
II provided with Thermometer, the temperature should
be determined at each reading The dry and wet-DulD
thermometers should be suspended in the shade IN snch
manner prevent far as possible, the abnormal
influence OF the radiation from the surrounding bodies
and at the time free circulation OF the air.
The solar thermometer should be placed in slender
wooden crutches about inches above the green grass
OF field or lawn and In locality where the direct solar
rays shall reach 1t from sunrise TO sunset
Observations with the actionometer should be made IN
the open air. and the bulb should far as practicable,
be protected from the influence Of currents
II possible observations should be made at each hour
OF the day and night OF tho eh 7th and 18th Of August
beginning at midnight OF the 5th.
II observations cannot be made during the night, great
care should be taken to make them carefully at each
hour Of the day
careful statement OF the character OF the weather
should be made at each observation.
On the It'll OF August observations with the actiono-
meter should begin at 10 and be used at intervals Of
thirty until the first contact Of the limbs of the
sun and MOON when they should be continued at inter-
walls of ten minutes until the last contact until sunset
One observation should be made. If practicable, during
totally.
The barometer should be read at intervals Of twenty
minutes while any portion of the eelipsed, and
once during totality,
The thermometers should be observed at intervals OF
ten minutes during the eclipse and during totaity
The time OF the beginning Of the total observation
should be carefully noted by the clock or watch by which
,laI,aar fiona arpf nod
All persons who may make such observations as de-
scribed will confer great favor II they will forward
their observations together with the of their in
st,uments II known the superintendent OF the United
states Naval Observatory, Washington d. C.
ASTRONOMICAL PARTIES
tn, Washi,gon Chronicle gives the following as the
official arrangements made for observing the eclipse
.The Navy Department, with view to CLEAN all the
nformaton possible has thus disposed OF some OF us
most eminent professors OF astronomy Prof. HAL OF the
raObc ONCE left Washington City the middle OF last
Nav for Behring's Strait under orders from the Depart
b o scSse makes its advent PrOfs Simon
comb William Hardness. and j. X. Eastman OF the Naval
ohseryatons acting independent or one another Pro
Newcomb wi take with him the largest object glass FROM
the Naval Observatory he can procure ana searoh or
asteroids between Mercury and the sun ~, 49,,
Prof. Hardness will make observations Win tne
DR. Cults Of the United States Army VIII accompany
the observers taking with him the large equatorial rom
the United states Naval Academy, loaned TO the O0ser
vaory by Porter for Photographic observa
TONS ,,----.--
oogca observations All these will under the auspices
of the United States Naval Observatory Commodore ~
n sands SUPERINTENDENT, and that institution Will have
ali ira professors IL the field along the path OF tOallty
During the absence OF the several professors To the
duv assigned them Prof Yarnell will be In charge, and
make the necessary observations at the Observatory
Three OF these astronomers will take observations at
Boonesboro 90 miles from Des MoineE another party
will locate themselves the Missouri River 500 miles
above Sioux City The following is partial list Of
centHo partes who have gone to the line OF total
obsouraton IN addition to those already mentioned All