The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-31
THE RECENT TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SU 4
Success Of the American Astronomers Who
Went to Sicily to Observe Ii.

The total eclipse OF the Sun which occurred the
ed OF December last had long been looked forward
to by astronomers OF all countries with intense
interest," as 1t was almost certain that all the phe-
nomena attending total eclipse would then be dis.
covered.
The total eclpses OF the Sun 1851 and 1860 were
largely observed by the European astronomers-the
former in the north OF Europe and the latter In
Spain. THIS eclipse QS60h being the only total one
visible In Europe for ten years, was well observed
by the of nearly every country in Europe and
the results OF the observations were OF far more
value than ali other total eclipses observed. Mr.
De La Rue, an English amateur astronomer, sue.
ceeded In obtaining fine photographs at the time
OF totaity, showing plainly the mysterious fred
flames" and the corona" Photographs Of partial
eclpses OF the Sun had long before been made by
our countrymen; but until August, 1869, they had
had no opportunity to witness q total eclipse In
their own country
THE ECLIPSE OF AUGUST, 1859.
In May, 1859, the Navy Department, at the request
OF Commodore b. F. Sands Superintendent Of
the United States Naval Observatory, Washington
ordered Professor A. Hall, United states
Navy, and Mr.. Joseph A. Rogers. OF the
photographic Onice. to Plover Bay, Eastern Siberia,
to observe the eclipse, 1t being central there and
another party, consisting Of Professors Newcomb,
Eastman aud Hardness, to Des Moines, Iowa, tho
most favorable place east OF the Plains. With the
exception OF the party sent TO Eastern Siberia, who
unfortunately, had bad weather, all the observa.
lions were success beyond expectation.
Splendid photographs were made by Brevet Major
Curtis. United States Army. who was sent out by
order OF the War Department and Joined the parties
at Des Mones. There were several DINER volunteer
observers under the auspices o, the Naval Observa
tory In N ne @ taken by Major Curtis
RANGES and corona are ds%nctly shown-far better
than they could have been . mere hand sketch.
In November last the Navy Department. at the
request OF Commodore Sands, directed Professors
Newcomb, Hail. Hardness and Eastman to proceed
to Europe for the purpose OF observing the coming
eclipse. They took with them all the instruments
necessary for making observations on the corona
ana protuberances. They sailed from New YORK IN
the nrst week III November and arrived AT Gibraltar
early in December.
Three OF these gentlemen-professors Hail. Hark.
ness and Eastman-proceeded direct TO Sicily aud
Professor Newcomb remained at Gibraltar, the
eclipse being central there. Recently We have seen
In the papers extracts OF letters rom tn gentle
men to Commodore sands, IN which II appears that
they have met with great success, although The sly
was not perfectly clear at either place.
The British and Italian governments sent out
shlps-ofwar to Sicily with scientific men OF all ma
least 100 savans observed eclipse IN ana around
Syracuse, all provided with tie best instruments tue
skill OF man could produce.
At Gibraltar there was large party OF astrono-
mers, and another at Oran, Algeria. At this place
the party were sadly disappomiei-a hurricane
the day before the eclipse ana rain storm the day
after.
THE CENTRAL LINE or ECLIPSE
commenced on the Earth In the Arlanuc Ocean,
south OF Greenland, and, moving southeast, crossed
little to the northward OF Cape st. Vincent, P0ru.
gal; thence over SPAIN and a little north OF Gibral-
tar to Oran, Algeria. From this place 1t east
ward (gradually curving towards the north) to
Sicily; then ever part OF Turkey and the Black Sea-
and finally leaving the Earth near the northeastern
part OF the Sea OF AZof. The time OF t0tality at
Syracuse was about two minutes and 1t vas during
this limited time that all the important observations
had to be made
THE RED FLAMES AND PRoTuBERA NoEs.
From time immemorlal there has been observed
around the Sun during total eclipse pale. slckly
light and In various places around the edge of the
Sun fiery tongues OF bright red light have been OBJ
served on the corona These red flames have ex-
cited intense interest up to within the past few
spectr0scope told that these red names are moth
Ing but hydrogen gas In q state OF combustion. Now
we need not wait for total eclipse in order to see
these protuberances for the spectr0scope will show
them TO us on any clear day. These flames some
times rise to a height OF 80, 600 miles In few
onds, and as quickly subside to appear in new
place.
The corona is by far the most interesting object
astronomers were uncertain as 10 whether " was
occasi0ned by the Earth's atmosphere, an atmos-
phere Of the Moon, or some substance surrounding
the Sun Itself; but the observations OF the American
astronomers In 1869 and 1870 have demonstrated
almost beyond doubt that the corona Ia something
belonging to the Sun Itself. IS ~
AN ANCIENT ECLIPSE OBSERVED IN SYRACUSE.
In the month OF August Of the year 800 b. G..
total eclipse or the Sun occurred at Syracuse,
which caused terror and CONSERVATION among the
inhabitants. On the day previous the Greek and
and were preparing for battle when the eclipse
occurred. Alter lapse OF nearly twenty-five
centuries we see men from o country four thousand
miles away rom this ancient city going to observe
q like, phenomenon, fearing neither the sword OF
the Carthaglnian nor the spear OF Agathoces.
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