New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-09
THE TOTAL oBsCURAT1oN
REPORTS FROM SCIENTIFIC PARTII


SPRINGFIELD, Aug. 1.-The total eclipse Of tho
sun at Springfield, Ill., has come of with perfectly
eloudless sky aud beautiful transparent atmosphere
At the head OF the working force stationed here for the
past three weeks making the necessary preparations Tor
observing the eclipse, Charles A. Scott for long time
one Of the principal assistants on the Coast survey
Under him are Mr.. l.. n Paunalis, Major ]. W. Black
and Mr. Fitzgerald in charge OF the department for pho
tographing the often possible during the pro-
gress OF the eclipse To assist Mr. Scott in the deter
nnaton OF time and recording well making certain
observations on the and red protuberances were
assigned Mr. Robert A. Mcleod, and two young gente
men from Cambridge whose names were not aseertalned
During the scientific observations with the instruments,
II was necessary to have perfect silence and fixed aen
on ON the part OF the Observers hence instead Of obsev
ing the eclipse a any point within the city, the Coast Sur
yey party SELECTED point about two miles from the center
OF this town. This spot within the grounds surrounding
the reservoir which supplies Springfield with the wafer
of the sangamon River the southwest side ofthe river
lust below its elevated sOpng sides temporary obsery
aory was erected 70 shelter the principal instruments OF
observation. Within the building was mounted fine
transit instrument for obtaining the local time OF Spring
field and for determining its difference Of longitude from
Washington This morning august y the superlntend'
ent OF the survey arrived His sn
NJ Pierce Of Harvard has been here some days New
Haven is represented by Professor TwDng; the
University by its Professor of Astronomy the Kings
ton University Canada by Prof Dupuis; and the state
Of Maryland by the Hon. Mr. Evans formerly member
OF Congress- and enthusiastic amateur astronomer
There are probably others Of whom have not heard
Soon after o'clock this afternoon the astronomers began
TO take their positions and prepare their numerous
and varied Instruments for observation The pre-
dcted time for the meridian OF the little obser'
vatory were Beginning OF eclipse A. S5m 5lOs SPRING
Acid mean time beginning OF totality, 5h 5m % 7lOs
end OF torality 5h SIM 10 2lOs mean time OF eclipse on
sm Al 2.lOs Quite number OF people were collected
outside the fence and cord which incosed the astrono
mers Somewhat later numerous carriages and farm
began 10 arrive aid the horses were tied to tho
,erce Crowdt OF people foot and horseback
began to stream from the town toward the reservoir
Finding they were not permitted WITHIN the
astronomical lines the people, men,H ladies
and children, stormed the nights OF the reservoir
and took possession where they remained standing
seated on the grassy slope awaiting the eclipse At
o'clock the looking in silence through
their telescopes for the first contact and it came at last
within very few seconds OF the predicted time In a
moment more tho whole crowd recognized the black
dent in the suns northwestern limit through their
pieces of smoked glass As the eclipse progressed the
Corded at the same time the OF obtaining their
pictures Not less than 2So impressions OF the sun were
taken from beginning to the close Of the eclipse AZ
an a. mIn the dimnution OF light was very percepube,
ana at o'clock q . SINGULAR ,Ss n. leaden
especially toward the northwest AZ three minutes
past little Nero than two minutes before the total
hssa ts crT eut-"T see star" Within six seconds of
tke proAicOa the last rays OF the disappeared and
hat astant the corona burst forth In all s pendor and
beaatT. Another moment and tho rcd hash OF protu
heranco burst forth the left hand limb OF the
like a tongue of faue letting out horizontally Boon
aaother lei flashed vertically downward from the lowest
liab the Others, observing with the aid Of tho
telescope saw several more Of these protuberences
MeGavhe tao heavens had darkened sufficiently 90 per
Init view Of the following planets and stars, besides
| veaas; Vi1.: Mercury, Mara, Satorn, Regulu
| his neighbOrs fowls went ito heir roost
| but probably owing 10 the extreme clearnes
! OF the atmosphere and Its absolute freedom
from all clouds, every impressed with the fac
that tho darkness not nearly great they el
peeed herd Of cattle feeding al little distance iros