Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-17
GREAT SOLAR ECLIPSE.
Careful aud Extensive Prepara-
lions 10 see II.
The Next One in This Country
in 1900.
Providence Journal, IL.

Adistinguished party ofEnglish astron-
omers is now established in q favorable
locality for observing the total solar
eclipse of the 18th. The members Of
the party are the famous astronomer.
Mr.. Norman Lockyer, and DR.. Schus'
ter, with their assistants, Mr.. William
Black, and Mr.. Buchanan, of the
Challenger. will accompany them, and
it is hoped that Professor Tacchini
will join them. This important expe-
dition is sen out by the British Gov
eminent, and has been equipped and
manned By the Science and Art De
partment and the Royal Science com
bined, at the suggestion of the Solar
Physics Committee. The position On
the line of totality chosen TOR obser-
walton is on the Nile, about a hundred
miles north Of Thebes, in 26' 80 north
latitude. The advantages of this
locality are that it is easily accessible,
and the prospect of good weather is
almost certain, for on the Nile it
never rains, and the skies are without
clouds. The disadvantages are that
the total obscuration of the sun con-
tinues but seventy-two seconds, while
at Teheran, in Persia, the darkness
continues for one hundred and four
seconds. The second disadvantage is
that the eclipse occurs in the midst
Of the khamseen season, when for a
period Of fifty days Lower Egypt is
often swept by a hot, southeast wind,
so laden with dust that the sun is
entirely obscured.
To obviate the first trouble, in re-
gard to the brief duration of totality,
every possible arrangement is being
made to insure promptness and dis
patch in improving the precious sec
onds during which the brightness Of
the suns face is yelled. To obviate
the second trouble, an elevated posi-
ton has been chosen above the reach
of the terrible Khamseen. The Egyp
tian Government has warmly cooper
ated with the British Government in
doing everything in its power to help
on the expedition. The Peninsular
and Oriental steamship Kaisar i
Hind transported as far as SueZ the
eclipse party and the thirty packing
cases containing each separate part Of
the two equatorial stands and tele-
scopes to be used with their spectre
scopes and cameras. This essential
apparatus was then carried in a spe
cial van to Cairo, ferrled over the
Nile, taken to Shuttle most south
erly railway station in Egypt-and
then forwarded to its destination.
Doubtless the astronomers are now
hard at work adjusting their instru-
ments and making their final prepare
tons for the observation of the most
glorious celestial phenomenon the hui
man eye ever beholds.
The preparation of the new combi-
nation of astronomical instruments,
aud the investigation ofthe new meth
DDS to be employed in observing the
eclipse, have required three months Of
hard work; thousands OF miles have
been traversed to reach a favorable
position on the line of totally, and
the preliminary arrangements now
going on involve an indescribablC
amount Of care and anxiety. all Thu
preparation, and the great expendi
ture necessary to carry it out, have
for a result the observation of the
eclipsed sun during the short interval
Of seventy-tWO seconds But much
may be accomplished for the service
Of solar physics in this brief time By
men ofkeen perceptions, praeticed eye
and cool, clear heads, who have de.
voted their lives to this ennobliu,
study. A very great interest is at
taehed to the observation Of the com
ing eclipse. In the first place it oc
ours at the most critical period o
solar activity, when the sun is 10
condition Of intense excitement, hi
surface being dotted with spots, Will,
huge prominences are sending fOrtl
their tongues Of fame from bis photo
sphere. This is a striking contras
with the condition Of the sun il
the eclipse Of 1873, so extensive
ly observed in this country. A
that time the sun was free from spots
and few rosy protuberances marred th
even contour Of his circumference. L
1872, we have the maximum Of sun
spots. In 1878, we had the minimum
Of sun-spots. Tie solar condition a
present is one of intense activity. ii
1873, the solar condition was one {
unparalleled repose. In the secon
place, since the observation Of 1915
aew views and theories have been ad
vanced concerning the chemical an
physical constitution Of the fols
atmosphere. Special apparatus ha
been prepared TO test these views, an
it is hoped that if there be any trut
10 them, the Photographic and spectre
scOpic attacks will determine impOi
tant questions like these, whether th
chemical elements existing in the 81
are ASSOCIATED or separated by III
intense temperature existing Their
and whether the spectra Of flames an
spots differ. Photography is great
relied upon a. an assistant in the ia
Yestigation, and 90 greatly hay
methods improved in the rapidii
/ with which an image can be impresse
on a sensitized plate, that more can {
Z recorded 10 Eve seconds than VI;
possible 10 6Ye minutes years ago.
There is every reason, therefore,
expect successful results from Il
e observations Of the English eclipl
. party stationed on the bile. ~
J observers are almost certain that h
0 weather conditions will be perfec
d and the scientific instruments AZ the
e command are better adapted for h
d purpose than those that have befol
been used for the same kind of worI
3 Mr.. Lockyer, who heads the EXP
0 dition, is one Of the foremost astroi
d omers OF the eye, and makes tbs stud
e Of solar physics and chemistry
4 speeialty. He has had oreat a vncg