Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-08-05
THE AUGUST ECLIPSE.

The Ieitersnlr Magazine for August has for 4
leading illustration atinted representation of the
appearance Of the cath and sky at the time Of the
total observation of the sum- in the eclipse Of Au
gust 7th. From the letter.press description We
sight:
For the convenience of such Of our readers as
live within the belt Of country referred to on the
fourth page of this number, where will be witness
ed on the 7A instant the tstaf eclipse of the sun,
we give SHORT description of the phenomena to
be expected. Perhaps some may have sufficient
presence Of mind to make brief notes of what they
see. lfso, we shall be happy to receive the re-
fsultsof speh observations for comparison, and DOS
sible publication IN future number As regards
the appearance under the heads three and five, q
spygass snraA telescope will be necessary to re-
veal them to satisfaction.
]. W ben the sun is more than thrcc.four
hidden by the dark disk of the moon, percepti-
BILE gloom is thrown on all the landscape around
Soon after, the sky appears to descend the hori-
zon to contract the temperature of the air falls;
birds cease their singing flowers close; an un-
earthly greonish aud reddish light is impaired to
portions of the sky; sudden darkness ensues
and everything wears mysterious and gloomy as
! pect.
l 2. Immediately before the last trace of the suns
disk disappears the awful shadow of the moon in
the air may be detected rapidly approaching from
the west like dark column or sombre cloud. To
witness this impressive sight, care must be exer-
rised: lest in the excltepent Of the moment the
fsswatly approaching shadow be UNDECIDED.
3. The last threads of light from the SUM- disk
sometimes appear to separate into little grains or
beads before its total disappearance This pheno-
menon has received tic NAME. Of "RaiIey Beads,
from the noted astronomer who first witnessed it.
1. Instantly on the extinction Of the sun will be
seen the grandest feature Of the eclipse, the coro
No. Or crown Of light, issuing ou all sides appar-
ently from the purple. black disk of the moon,
though really from tho sun. 1t is the atmosphere
of the sun rendered visible by the absence Of the
loEeEpowering sunlight. As the light is dazzlingy
white, piece Of smoked glass will enable you to
survey it without the inconvenience which might
otherwise Arise
5: In the corona, and issuing also apparently
from the dark moon there will appear several rose
cokrea flames projecting beyond the gloomy disk,
perhaps tenth Of the diameter of. the moon.
Tney, too, belong to the sun, and are demonstrat-
ed by the spectroscope to be incandescent hydro
gen. With'cvery eclipse they vary in size, num-
Der, shape, position, and depth of color.
g. Planets aud barge stars are often noted during
total eclipses by those who have previously studied
their position on celestial map. As the darkness
hardly exceeds that Of moonlight night, they are
not always readily fodRd in the two or three min
utcs of gloom that attend the entire observation of
the sum- By little study Of the map OF the COM
rnencenent Of. tins number, one may be able to
recognize the most conspicuous planets and stars
that will be visible
When the sun re eappears the phenomenon of
Bailey's Beads should be again looked for-this
time on the right side of the moons disk The
awful shadowiwal aftGward bs saen sailing rapid
ly away in the air to the eastward Then follow
the changes of color ip the sky and landscape, the
rising Of The thermometer, and a general awaken
Ting Of Nature and the wonderful exhibition is over.