The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-11
THE TOTAL ECLIPSE.
How 1t Appeared At Raleigh. North Caro-
lima, and Springfield, Illinois.

A letter from Raleigh, N. c., describing the
eclipse, which was total at that point, says:
The scene at the time OF totally was magni-
ficent beyond description. At sos the eclipse
began, the shadow gradually covering the disc
OF the sun until complete. At 5.A4 the sun
was half obscured, and at GOA the eclipse was
total and remained 30 for one hundred and
eighteen seconds. A thermometer, which was
placed in the ne sun, stood a, At ninety-thres De.
degrees, and at the time OF the total eclipse it
fell to s1ty-eight degrees, the air growing
rapidly colder, while the whole atmosphere as
sumed hazy and leaden appearance.
Immediately succeeding the total obscura-
tion the corona became visible and brilliant.
Corruscations seemed to fash and radlate
from the circumference Of the moon. Uudula-
and repeatedly. until the close, when Venus,
Mercury aud Mars shone out in magnificent
splendor. A peculiar gloom spread like pail
over the landscape, while changing tlDts OF
black orange, indigo and leaden hues covered
the heavens near the horiIon. north and south.
The spectacle was magnificent and sublime and
the crowd about the cupola spontaneously burst
Aow." During the totality two blades Of GRIM
son light seemed to cut the moons circumfer-
ence, and curved lines were visible across the
disc of the moon, resembling the groined pro-
jections Of the top Of some gothic cathedral
No point could have offered better facilities for
taking an observation than this, and the clr-
cumstances were all that could be wished.
the asylum, and 10 whom the Washington
party are much indebted.
A dispatch from Springfield, Illinois, says:
The total eclipse at Springfield, Illinois, was
q startling and sublime phenomenon. The sky
was perfectly clear. Professor Pearce, Of Har-
ward, had charge Of the observations which
were made near the city reservoir. A hundred
photographs OF the eclipse were takon BY Mr..
Black, OF Boston. When the total observation
took place the heavens and earth presented q
scene OF awful suDhmity. A AbI'llant amber. col
cred corona appeared around rhe sun and moon,
shooting rays Of light outward in all direc-
tons. when the whole horizon wss illuminated
with light Of The same color. The planets Mer-
curry and Venus and number OF fixed ttars
were distinctly visible, but no planetoids be-
tween Mercury aud the sun were discovered.
Brilliant rays Of colore hame or protuberances
were noticed on the western limb OF the sun
during the period OF total observation. :.
The phenomenon known ~ "Bailey's Beads
was also distinctly witnessed. Tbe phenome-
non, Professor Pearce thinks, is occasioned BY
refraction of light. He s also satisfied that the
corona at the time Of total obscuratlon was oc-
casioned by the suns atmosphere.
The moment the eclipse became total, the
Hkme-ike protuberances we're feen With won
derful distinctness, one very large on the lower
limb OF the sun, and three nearly as large ON
the upper limb, while at least seven or eight OF
them in all wers visible. The one on the right
hand or lower limb had someH hat the appear
ance OF O full.rigged ship with sails set. 10 its
part nearest the moon were two OF the Jet black
spots. To the naked eye it seemed as though
there we're openings offssures in the moon, two
on the east side and one on the southwest side
Just after the total eclipse, through three open.
ings. the lnrid glow OF the sun vas distinctly
visible. The corona was not, as generally de-
scrlbed in books, &C., q halo Of flight surround
ing the moon. but was distinctly seen to be a
foe pointed prong on the lower and two on
the upper circumference Of the moon. The
points presented radiant appearance. The
generally received theory regardin this Co
roma, that 1t is til, atmosphere OF the sun,
does not seem to be sustained BY ooservatio ne
made at this point. It is cOojectured that the
corona is in some way caused by the phenome-
ua Of light passing through the atm osphere
Although search was made no planetary bodies
were observed between Mercury and the sun
During the totahty phase, Mercury, Venus
Regulus, Mars, Saturn and other stars were
visible. Temperature in the shade at the be-
ginning Of the eclipse was " degrees; during
totality Is degrees, and at the end it had risen
to 10 degrees; at $40. in the sun, in the grass
the Thermometer WAS at 100 degrees; few
minutes after o'clock it rose to 102 degrees,
while during the total eclipse it fell to 60 de-
srees, but subsequently rose to 81 degrees.