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

THE COMING 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 moro than six
thousand miles long. IT. begins in Siberia,
where it takes nor,hoasterly course till it
crosses little south Of Behring's Straits,
after which it turns it's course sou,Aeasterly,
traversing portions Of Alaska, thence into
British America, and through Monla ana. Dako-
tab, Nebraska, Iowa. Missouri. Illinois, In
diana, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and
North Carolina, ending in the Atlantic Ocean.
off the coast of the aforementioned State. In
most parts of the United Sta es the observa-
ton will only cover Ave-sixths OF the suns
disc. 1t will be only par ial in Charleston, and
will continue from FIVE O'Clock until few min
sutes before seven O'Clock P. Nj.
/ IL is eald by Washington astronomers that
mo total eclipse Of the sun has been visible in
any considerab able 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 in the course Of ceptu-
ries, have acquired the habit Of taking their
observations to the central line of the eclipse.
On this occasion scientific parties Will 60 to
various points along the line, some sent by tie
United States Government and some by pri-
vae enterprises. to study interesting problems
relative to the SUMS physical constitution To
those who are able to visit the line. or within
the limits Of visibility OF the total phase, it
will be q spectacle if the sky is clear, worth
travelling great distance to beholi. The
Riverside Magazine for August has for a leading
Illustration tinted representation Of the ap-
pearance OF the earth and sky at the time OF
the total obscuI alton. 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 the 7th instant, the total eclipse
OF the sun. we glvo short description of he
phenomena to be expected. Perhaps some
may have sufficient presence OF mind TO make
brlef notes of what they see. II SO, we shall
be happy TO receive the reslls of such obser-
vations tor comparison. and possible publica-
tionIin future number. AS regards the ap-
pearancss under the heads three and five. a
spy-glass Or small telescope will be necessary
to reveal them to satisfaction.
l.. When the sun IS more than three-fourths
hidden by the dark SC Of the moon, per
around. Soon after the sky appears to de-
sceud, the horizon to contract, the temperature
OF the arr falls, birds cease their singing, flow
ers close, an unearthly greenish .and reddish
light is parted to portions Of the sky. q sud-
den darkness ensues- and everything wearssa
mysterious q and gloomy aspect,
sona dsHssiy dsa tba sao ass trsssf A
the moon in the air may be detected rapidly
APPROACHING from the west like. q dark coiumn
or sbmbre cloud. To witness this impressive
sight care must be exercised, lest, in the ex-
citement Of the moment, the swiftly approach.
ing shadow be unheeded. 81
8. The last thread of light from the sums
grains or beads byfore it's total disappearance. %
This phenomena has received the name Of
"Baiy Beads" from the noted astronomer who
fret Witnessed it. ha 4a a
4. Instantly on the extinction OF the sun will
be sesn the grandest feature OF the eclipse
the corona. or crown OF light. issuing on all
sides apparently from the purple.black d,sc OF
the moon. though in reality nom the sun. It
is the atmosphere of the. sun rendered visible
by the absence OF the tOverpower1ng sunlight.
As the light is dazzllngly white, q piece of
smoked glass will enable you to survey It with
out the inconveulence which might otherwise
arise. el
5. In the corona, and issuing also apparent
ly from the dark moon, there will appear seve-
raj rose-colored flames projecting beyond the
Of the moon. They, too, belong to the Gun,
and are demons trated by the spectroscope to
be lncandescent hydrogen: WITH every eclipse
they vary in size, numb r, shape. position and
depth Of color. }lt'ITs 1-0' rt.-1F v
8. Planets and large stars are often noted
during total eclipses by those who have Prev
ously studied their positions on celestial
map. As the darkness hardly exceeds that Of
9 moonlig ht night, they are not always readily
found in the two or three minutes Of gloom
that attend the entire Ubscuration OF the sun.
BY 2 little study Of the map ct the commence
/ ment OF this number one may'b able to re-
cognize the most consE icuous planets and stars
that will be Visible.
When the sun reappesrs the, phenomenon
I Of Baily,s Beads should. be again looked for
this time on the right aide 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 changAs nf color In The sky
and lApdgcape; the rising Of the thermometer
And genera! awakening OF nature, and the.
wonderful exhibition, ,is oyer.u ,s.sg agsSie ~'s
~ HNcSS& eoo 47Rnr&e ,.,e 1855