Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1880-01-11

A Graphic Description of h Phe.



nomenOn.
The rare and beautiful astronomical phe-
nomenon which occurs this afternoon is
Of such value as to warrant our placing
before our readers a terse description Of
the same. Technical as is the treatment
Of heavenly bodies, that which, be the
weather fine, will delight us this afternoon,
is but the passing of the moon between
the sun and the earth. An eclipse may be
defined as the falling Of a planets shadow
upon another planet. Any Opaque body,
such as the moon, when illuminated by any
source Of light, as our sun, naturally casts
a shadow behind it, this shadow falling
upon the earth, deprives us OF the suns
light. Our night is but a different form
Of eclipse, for we are then in the earth's
shadow.
Many who have given the science Of
astronomy but a cursory attention have
been puzzled by the fact that, though the
moon comes between the earth and the
sun once a month, eclipses are so rare.
lHe cause VI tuls Is very SHnPhc' 1Ho
earth and moon do not move in the same
planes, and consequently it generally hap
pens that the moon is to one side OF a line
between the sun and earth. its shadow
is thrown to a corresponding side, and is
therefore not perceived by an observer on
the earth's surface. But when our satel-
lite comes within certain limits Of
the line joining the ~centers Of the
earth and sun, its shadow falls upon
our sphere and the sun is eclipsed.
The moon is eclipsed while it traverses the
earth's shadow the SUI while the earth
traverses the moons shadow. There can
never be more than seven eclipses in one
year, nor less than two. A total eclipse
takes place when the suns disc is entirely
obscured. This exceedingly interesting
occurrence is repeated at the same place
only after a long interval.
An eclipse OF the sun is the more inter
esting because it takes place only near the
time of new moon, and the latter is con-
sequently invisible. Unfortunately for us,
the northern limit of totally Of this after
Moons eclipse is some thirty miles south
Of Eureka.
Were we in the belt of totality we would,
at about $3.50 P. NJ, notice that the sun
light gradually faded, without apparent
WI . III a lew AiihutND q ehId'lt dai II
rounded segment of the suns disc seems
cut off; this grows slowly in size, until
almost the whole disc is obseured. Then,
suddenly, we see the shadow sweep toward
and envelope US. We are in Plutonian
darkness the birds shrek in alright and
seek their nests; animals tremble with
terror, many Of them have been known to
die Of fear. In a few seconds re become
accustomed TO the faint light still left us,
and we find it more horrible than darkness.
A pale, sickly, greenish, yellow light
seems TO cover all, and give to house, land
scape and foliage a disgusting appearance.
Almost before the observer can collect
his senses, it has passed the faint,
grayish, yellow light comes again. Soon
the bright, cheerful beams come streaming
toward us, aud the earth slowly resumes
its normal appearance.
This sudden deprivation Of light is very
astonishing, so much SO that astronomers
who have journeyed thousands of miles,
and prepared for many months. knowing
exactly what to expect, have been SO lost in
awe and surprise as to lose the few seconds
allotted them to view and examine Natures
most magnificent and sublime manifesto
ton.
For Enraka the eclipse will be partial,
though a large part of the SUMS disc will
be obscured. and darkness, almost as of
night, will envelope all. A cloudy sky
will, Of course, destroy much Of its beauty;
but, unless the day is very dark and low
ering, we shall be able to perceive the
diminution Of light. The sun, sets still
eclipsed at 5 hours and 2 minutes. The
meteorological indications are favorable
for q fine observation.