Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-07-31
The Solar Eclipse.
SUCCESSFUL VIEWS IN THE WEST AND
OUTHWEsT-DISMAL EXPERIENCE
IN THE EAST.

WAsHINGToN, July 29.-Reports to
the signal Office of the weather in locali-
ties where the best observations were
TO be taken Of the eclipse seem to indi-
cate that the views of it must have
been successful at many points. AT
Pixies Peak, Colorado, where General
Myer, Prof. Able and others were
making q scientific official observation,
there was complete satisfaction, and to-
night the following telegram was re-
ceiyed at the signal Office in this city
from Gen. Myer, chief signal officer:
PIXIES PEAK, July 29.-Observa-
tons successful. Corona traced sever
al diameters from the sun, and seen
for five minutes after totality.n
Most satisfactory reports of the OBJ
seryations Of the total solar eclipse have
been received at the United States
Naval Observatory from all points on
the line Of totally. The weather vas
partially cloudy in Texas, but all the
contacts were successfully observed.
All the parties that have been heard
from in Colorado report very satisfac-
tory observations. Several drawings
and complete sets of photographs have
been secured. No trace of any inter-
mercurial planet was seen.
DENVER, COL. July 29.-The sky
was entirely clear until one O'Clock
this afternoon, when a few masses Of
cumulus clouds showed themselves
over the mountains towards the north
and northwestward. With this excep-
ton the sky was perfect and the atmos-
pheric conditions OF a most favorable
character for successful observations of
the eclipse. The house tops were
thronged with people. and the higher
buildings were especially in demand,
as from them The dark shadow of totali-
ty could be seen as il swept onward
over the plain.
The first contact occurred at 2:2O
O'Clock, cnyer time, and ten minutes
later The presence Of The moon at the
edge Of the suns disc was plainly per-
cepublc with the aid of smoked glass.
BY O'Clock the sunlight had moderat-
cd in q marked degree, beng of pale
yellow color. Later on liyid glare
oycrsprcnd the earth. the heat of tie
sun was no longer oppressive, a light
similar 10 twilight was visible In The
horizon, and the light hecl.s of clouds be-
gan slowly to dissolve, owing to the
change Of temperature. rs the period
OF totality approached the sight from
elevated stations was grand IN ex
trcmclys dark shadow fell on Longs
peak, 5 miles distant, and sweeping
rapidly southcaslward. covered the
plain like 4 gray ball. while TO the
nor.hoastward clouds could be seen
bathed in sunlight. Stimulating beauti-
iui sunset. During the period Of OBJ
scuraiion the moon appeared Ike huge
black ball surrounded by 4 beautiful
circle Of light, and when the sunlight
again burst forth the cocks crowedg as
though morn had dawncd.
Astronomical parties, as faras heard
from, failed to discover the planet
/ Vulcan, although able to discern stars
Of the sixth magnitude. l'rof. Young
reports that he discovered no ultra red
or ultra violet Ines. but that at the
moment Of totality the Franheefer lines
were bcaut,,mly reversed. Tins was
The most important result Of his obser-
walton, and confirms observations made
in siam. Both The II. lines were also
rcYcrscd. Very bright lines were seen
near large y. which confirms Prof.
Poeson's observations. lie also saw
bright lines I and l47l.