New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-27

point mentioned IN the table. Tho anglo y measured
from this point to the right and the figures show that
except at few Of the points named the moons first APP
pearance DO looked for in the lower right hand
quarter or quadrant of the suns disk.
ADVANTAGES OF A TOTAL EcLIPtE.
Total eepses Of the regarded with great inter
est by since they offer special opportuhl
ties for studying many obscure and perpexng questions
First OF ALL they furnish the necessary data for deter
mining more accurately the motions OF the moon Exact
as the science OF has OF late years become
the theory of the moon is stl unsOved problem SO
cratic are the motions Of that satellite and so comp-
Gated the disturbing influences which ahect IL as IL re-
wolves around the EARTH and carried around the SUD-
that the carefully prepared tables cease AZ
ter time, to represent with accuracy us
movements BY carefully observing the points OF
contact OF its disk with that of the suns
when an eclipse takes place, the moons position
relative to the earth and the definitely ascertaned
and by comparing this result with previous ecnpses
new materials obtained for improving the lunar
tables But the chief value of solar total ecpses lies In
the facilities they give for studying the composition OF
the SUM- AS with the eye with an ordinary tee-
scope the surface Of the consists OF disk OF In
tensely brilliant white light This is known as the pho
tosphere Outside of this nothing Is visible But
when I'm total eclipse the passes slowly over the
SUM- and the last ray Of sunlight yanishes scene Oh
extraordinary beauty, grandeur and impressiVeness
breaks upon the view. Inc gODe o tue mVon' says ~
lessor Newcomb black ink is as II 1t were hang
ing in mid-air, surrounded by crown OF soIt.
silyery light, like that which tho Ola
painters used to depict around the heads %
saints. Besides this corona" tongues OF rose
cOlored fame OF the fantastic forms shoot out from
various points around the edge OF the lunar disk These
"names" or prOmnencos" or "protuberances,' as
they are varously called, spring from kind of solar
atmosphere, which rests upon the photosphere'
and is known the chrOmOsphere. This Is
layer 1000 or 900 miles deep. composed In It's upper
part almost solely of glowing hydrogen gas and In s
lower and denser portions Of the same substance mixed
with the ncandescent vapOrs of many metallic sub
stances The protuberances rose-clored flames are
vast masses Of hydrogen gas, driven from
the ehrOmOsphere by some violent eruptVe
force The halo surrounding the chromospaere is
the corona the and origin of which are still
mystery The spectroseope shows that an unknown and
probably highly rareted exists there, and that some
portions of the corona shine also by reflected light but
beyond this little is certain. The corona Is not solar
atmosphere 10 the sense in which the word usually IN
dersood since the great comet OF 1S43 passed through
1000 miles OF it at the enormous velocity OF $50 miles
per second without suffering visible damage or being in
the least retarded yet shooting passing through
the upper portions Of the earths atmosphere are com
petely vaporzed although their speed never exceeds
fifty miles per second What then is the coronal This
is one of the points and the principal point, on which
the eminent scientific who have gone to Colorado
and Texas TO see the eclipse hope 10 get some light
The corona viii be carefully watched during the to-
tally 1t win be examined with the spectroscope and
the poarscope 1t will be attacked with the photograph
armed with more sensitive chemicals than have ever
been used before for such purposes skiul Observers
will make accurate drawings Of it and every possible
device that science suggest will be emp yed to ex
tort It's secrets.
Another incidental OF the eclipse win be TO search
for the supposed planets confidently believed by the
cola asfr
exist between Mercury and the sun. The tran
sit Of Mercury In May last has shown that
lie Verrer's suppositiOn is undoubtedly correct
The unknown bodies are, however so small and 50 near
to the suns surface that they probably only be seen
during total eepses Some OF the observers on Monday
next therefore, viii specially watch for these inra-
mercurial bodies. They will note down everything
visible in the sky carefully compare their work with the
of that part of the heavens and hope in this
way TO discover the mysterious Vulcan II his existence
is not wholly mythical
EXPEDITIONS TO OBSERVE THE ECLIPSE.
The phenomenon will be witnessed by all our
leading astronomers, and Investigators OF solar ply
Sizes well by several eminent European observers
including Mr., ]. Norman LOckyer, the Editor Of
Nature who has already specially distinguished himself
N this important field OF research Congress having
granted the OF $1,000 the purpose OF observing
the eclipse five expeditions have been sent out from the
Naval Observatory various points the line Of total
ity One party, consisting OF Professor Simon New
comb, the head Of the Nautical Almanac Depart
ment; Commander W. r. sampson. Professor OF
Physics and Chemistry at the Naval Academy;
Lieutenant c. G. Bowman, aud Mr. John Meier,
will be stationed at CrestOn near Rawlings.
Wyoming, the line of the Union Pacific Railway.
This party will photograph with Of the phOtObeO
graphs used in graphing the transit OF Venus, in
December 1874 They Will also observe contacts and
look for intra-merCural planets The following party
will In ata AZ Fort I,yun
Asaph Hall, Professor Arthur w. Wright, OF Yale Col
lege Professor A. Rogers, Mr. H. f. Gardner, and Mr..
A. B. Wheeler. They will take photographs OF the
eclipse corona and all around 1t that be got
sensitive plate; make poarscOpc observations Of the
light Of the corona; observe the times Of contacts,
and make search for inua-mercural planets.
Another party, taking up its station at Creston or
Rawlings. Wyoming, consists Of Professor VIM. Hark-
ness Lieutenant +. W. Sturdy Assistant Astronomer A.
H. Simmer Messrs L. T. Walker, A. G.. Clark, and Pro-
fessor o. H. Robinson This party has the same nstruc-
lions as Professor Halls except that instead OF poar
scOpic observations they will take spectroscopc and
thermO-electric observations. At Pueblo, Colorado,
there will also be stationed Professor j. r. Eastman,
Professor Lsws Boss Assistant Astronomer H. NJ. Paul.
aud Mr. IT, Prchet This party will make pOlariscopic
observations observe contacts, search for planets and
make drawings OF the The following party will
be at Central City, Colorado; Professor 4. b. Holden,
Lieutenant T. W. Very. and Dr. G. s. Hastings. They
will 20 into the mountains southwest OF Denver search
for planets the structure OF the note
contacts and make poariscopic observations.
In addition to the above there will also be several pr
yate expeditions Professor Henry Draper OF this city,
Will view the eclipse from Rawlings. Wyoming. His
party consists Of Professor and Mrs Draper Professor
Barker OF the University of Pennsylvania. Professor
Morton president OF the Stevens Institute OF Technology
ana Mr. Edison the electrician. Professor Draper has
taken one Of telescopes from his observatory at
Washington Hudson and also aphOtotele-spectrosc0pe
OF six inches aperture The main part OF the work Of this
marty will be 10 make Photographic spectroscopc and
EdisOn will expert