The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-29

eclipse csnsss SO that they may act at once TO pro-
vent The suadsnnsss Of the light from spoilins the
photographs As a of side issue the observers
will carefully watch during tho eclipse for the ap-
pearance Of planet between tn, sun aud
Mercury. recent observations In New York by Pro-
lessor Draper having led him TO believe that one ex-
listed In that position.
ANXIETY ABOUT THE wEArnga
As the time approaches for the event the anxiety
OF the about weather greater
Yesterday It raned iuriousy tor some three hours,
and, although the OF science securely shell
tered from the Storm they discussed IL with as much
anxiety II they miles away the open plains
without even parAsol 10 protect them To-day some
large dark clouds suddenly gathered overhead In
ssnty the faces OF tho observers were changed into
human Darometers. As the clouds increased their
couutenances grew grave Sunshine pogot smiles
and congratulations.
Up to date no other party OF astronomers have
come TO this point, although some expected in u
day or Two. At Separation station ten miles above,
Oh the line OF the road, number are gathered and
the latest advices that their gemens for
the eclipse are progressing favornbly. AT erosion,
twsnty-eight miles west, Professors Newcomo
and Haiknoss, Of tho government expedition. well
supplied with apparatus Another expedition is sta
toned ut Fort Steele, 6ftesp miles Pixies Peak
has Its share OF Observers and along the line OF tho
shadow in Colorado other parties located
In Denver several European astronomers a.
we'll some OF the government observers. Although
the region Of the eclipse has thus far not been avor
able, so far weather Is concerned, Tor satisfactory
results there hardly be failure, the astronomers
having taken every precauon IN tho way Of separat
ing Late advces -scsived by Professor Draper from
the signal olce at Washington give good cause TO
hope for weather SUI GENTLY clear to enable good
suits 10 be obtained VI Rawlina
FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE EvRNT--HDI-
soN's RxPERlMRNTs--rHE QUESTIONS TO BE
SOLVED BY THE OBSERVATIONS REMINis-
CENcEs OF FORMER ASTRONOMICAL IxpEDI-
TioNs.
By TELk0RAPH TO THE uRRALD.
RAwLlNs, wy. T., July %, 1878.
All II ready for the eclipse The astronomers along
tho line Of the shadow belt mindful OF the fact that It
Is The last total eclipse America during the present
century, have made the most careful preparations
Telescopes, spectroscopes poiariseopss anu all the
latest scientific appliances have been brought into
play aud are only waiting for the important event.
The utmost efforts will Do made 10 iathou the mys.
terss Of the great iuminary All the instruments at
this point Of observation are In complete order and
have given satisfactory preliminary results. Nothing
10 needed but the precious two and cns-half min
Of clear sky during which the viii veil the
sun from Wow and turn day into darkness.
THE LAST PREPARATIONS
From dawn yesterday until after midnight the
rious members Of the expedition worked assiduousy.
each rehearsing his part Dr.. Draper, tho Chief ad
justsd for the time his large equatorial telescope
and arranged his cameras. During totaiity he will
take three Simultaneous photographic each Of differ
ent size. Professor Morton occupied the day In max
ing some important notifications his polariscope.
Professor Barker busy for several hours getting
his apparatus in sensitive adjustment
A FAVORABLE SYMPTOM.
During his experiments be discovered one exceed
ingly large protuberanco on tho upper edge OF the
sun, different In many respects from others OF its
KIND. Tho announcements WAS gratifying TO the
astronomers, as It portends state Of eruption In
the sun favorable TO the observations.
IXpEyATIGABLR EDISON
Edison never moro indeiatigabe. Beginning
his the tasimeter at an carly hour yesterday
morning he continued at his post with scarcely IN
Interim until four o'clock this morning. He exper.
ionssd much dinculty account OF the ,nstrumsnps
ssnsi.iveusu change in the temperature. Tho ap-
proseh OF any person within ave feet threw tho In
s,rumsnt OF adjustment The heat from bis little
angsr at that distance detected It several degrees
ExPRRIMxSrs TAsIMETER.
Last night he spent hours in experimenting ON tho
heat or the stars The fixed Arcturus was found 70
give q decided DETECTION. The astronomers gathered
around and pronounced II wonderful the most
sensitive thermophiis hitherto having but barely de-
heat In that The next star tried Vega
but II was long before Edison could get any result
The tiny ray Of light rushed mp and down the gradu-
a,ing scale regardless OF any known law. Edison
looked solemn Finally he discovered the erratic de-
Elections TO DO due to slight variation IN the local
temperature. Again adjusted, the delicate
urer told that Vega gave out considerable heat on
whnla Al popi,n ovedh y
While measuring tho boat OF the corona and during
the sclipss person except himself and assistant
will bo alo within feet OF the observatory SO
a. 10 avoid changes IN the temperature His caicu-
lation to have the tasmossr during the eclipse ad
justsd to degree 900 times sensitive than an
ordinary Thermometer
THE PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK.
The work Of Norman Lcckyer, OF England, will DO
confined mainly 10 photograpninR the spectrum Of
tho corona and OF observing Its structure with q
telescope His inciites for the same have boon
materially increased by numerous Photographic ar
paratusss placed hts disposal by the photog
OF the Union Pacific Railroad. Professor Watson, oil
Ann Arbor, intends 70 work solely tho disco ming
Of objects the vicinity OF tho sun, between IL and
Mercury.
RESULTS OF PAST OBSERVATIONS.
To review cursory the result OF past eclipse obssr
vations imagine circle, the size OF silver dollar
enclosing tnoso smaller circles OF the SIZE respec-
lively Of a twenty nvc, q ten and q I've cent silver
piece lie, tho smallest circle represent the SUM-
tho next its cromosphore, or nrst atmosphere; tho
third the inner corona, or second atmosphere, and
the largest the On the spectroscopc or
observing ipstrument, the gives Thousands OF nne
black lines which correspond 10 lines obtained from
manv OF tho carth's metals when observed NJ white
heat. showing that the sua contains iron, nickel,
calcium and other metals. Prom the cromosphsrs
like results have been obtained, bat less number.
In tho inner astronomers have discovered
tho presence OF only two substancea One is hydro
geo; tho character OF the other Is at present un-
known, mono OF sarth's products having boon found
to correspond TO II.
MYSTERIOUS SUBSTANCES
In the outer corona scenco has discovered this