The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-07-31

1HE AUGUST ECLlPSE.-Ine hlCGStue
Magazine for August has for o leading
Illustration tinted representation Of the
appearance of the earth and sky at the time
Of the total observation of the sun in the
eclipse Of August 7th. From the letter.
press description We take the following
sketch of this most wonderful sight:
For the convenience of such Of our read
ers as live within the belt of country re-
ferred to on the fourth page of this num-
Der, where will be witnessed on the 9TH
instant the total eclipse of the sun, we give
a short description of the phenomena to be
expected. Perhaps some may have sutti-
cient presence of mind to make brief notes
OF what they see. If so, we shall be happy
to receive the results of such observations
for comparison, and possible publication in
q future number. As regards the appear
ances under the heads three and five, q
spy-glass or small telescope will be neces-
sarv to reveal them to satisfaction.
l. When the Gun is more than three
fourths hidden by the dark disk of the
moon perceptible gloom is thrown on all
the landscape around. Soon after, the sky
appears to descend the horizon to contract =;
the temperature Of the air falls; birds
cease their singing flowers close: an I'M
earthly greenish and reddish light is i'm
parted to portions of the sky; sudden
darkness ensues: and everything wears q
mysterious and gloomy aspect.
2. Immediately before the last trace OF
the SUMS disk disappears, the awful shadow
of the moon in the air may be detected ra-
pidly approaching from the west like
dark column or sombre cloud. To witness
this impressive sight care must be exercised
lest in the excitement of the moment the
swiftly=spproaching shadow be unheeded
3. The lost thread Of light from the SUMS
disk sometimes appears to separate into lit
tie grains or beads before its total dlsap-
pearance. This phenomenon has received
the name of "Baily's Beads" from the
noted astronomer who first witnessed it.
4. Instantly on the extinction Of the sun
will be seen tic grandest feature OF the
eclipse, the corona, or crown OF light, lssu-
ing on all sides apparently from the purple
black disk Of the moon, though IN reality
from the sun. 1t is the atmosphere of the
sun rendered visible by the absence OF the
overpowering sunlight. As the light is daz-
zlingly white, piece of smoked glass will
clidulC 1Ou W 6ul Wy ~ NiC4ioIAe Wv AAAS0AA'
nience which might otherwise arise.
5. In the corona, and issuing also appa-
rently from the dark moon, there will ap-
pear several rose-colored flames projecting
beyond the gloomy disk, perhaps tenth OF
the diameter of the moon. They, too, be-
long to the sun, and are demonstrated by
the spectroscope to be incandeScent hydro
gen. With every eclipse they vary in size,
number, shape, position, and depth of color.
G. Planets and large stars are often noted
during total eclipses by those who have
previously studied their positions on &C.
iestial map. As the darkness hardly ex-
ceeds that of moonlight night, they are
not always readily found in the two or
three minutes of gloom that attend the en-
tire obscuration of the sun. BY little
study Of the map at the commencement OF
this number, one may be able to recognize
the most conspicuous planets and stars that
will be visible.
When tn sun reappears the phenomenon
of Baily's Beads should be again looked
for-this time on the right side OF the moon s
disk. The awful shadow will afterward
be seen sailing 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 gene
raj awakening of Nature, and the wonder
full exhibition is over.