Morning journal and courier., 1882-05-16
Price Four Cents.

now hard at word adjusting their instruments and making their final preparations for the observation of the most glorious celestial phenomenon the human eye ever beholds.
 The preparation of the new combinations of astronomical instruments, and the investi- gstion of the new methods to be employed in observing the eclipse, have required three months of hard work thousands of miles have been traversed to reach 8 favorable po- sition on the line of totality, and the prelimi- nary arrangements now going on involve an indescribable amount of care and anxiety. All this preparation, and the great expendi- ture necessary to carry it out, have for re- suit the observation of the eclipsed sun dur ing the short interval of seventy two sec onds. But much may be accomplished for the service of solar physics in this brief time by men of keen perceptions, practieed eye, and cool, clear heads, who have devoted their lives to this ennobling study. 4 very great interest is attached to the observation of the coming eclipse. In the first place it occurs at the most critical period of solar activity, when the sun is in a condition of intense ax- citement his surface being dotted with spots, wEile huge prominences are sending forth their tongues of flame from his atmosphere. This IS Tn striking contrast with the condi- ton of the sun in the eclipse of 1878, so ex- tensiyely observed in this country. At that time the was free fIom spots, and few AO6J PIOLuOCAduCSS I-hI1c cu bA6 6f61 SO11O0I of his circumference. In 1882, we have the maximum of sun spots. In 1878 we had the minimum of sun-spots. The solar condition at present is one of intense activity. In 1878 the solar condition was one of unparalleled repose. In the second place, since the obser- vat1on of 1878, new views and theories have been advanced concerning the chemical and physical constitution of the solar atmosphere. Special apparatus has been prepared to test these views, and it is hoped that if there be any truth in them, the photographic and spectroscopic attacks will determine impor- tant questions like these, whether the chemi- cal elements existing in the sun are dissocia- ted or separated by the intense temperature existing there, and whether the spectrs of flames and spots differ. Photography is greatly relied upon as an assistant in the in- vestigation, and so greatly have methods i'm proved in the rapidity with which an image can be impressed on sensitized plate, that more can be recorded in five seconds than was possible in five minutes, years ago.
 There is every reason therefore to expect successful results from the observations of the English eclipse party stationed on the Nile. The observers are almost certain that the weather conditions will be perfect, and the scientific instruments at their command are better adapted for the purpose than those that have before been used for the same kind of work. Mr. Lockyer, who heads the eI- petition, IS one Of the foremost astronomers of the age, and makes the study of solar physics and chemistry a specially. He has had great experience in similar observations, especially during the total eclipse in 1871, which he was sent ont by the government to observe in India, and concerning which he made most interesting and valuable reports. The eclipse of the 17th is entirely invisible here, though it is visible as a partial eclipse in England. The line of totality, where the grand phenomenon is seen in all its ave in- spring magnifcence. commences on the west coast of Africa, passes through Egypt, Per sia, Central Asia and China and ends in the Pacific Ocean. It will not be until the year 1900 that total eclipse of the sun viii be visible in this country, and then the inhabi- tants of New England will have to go as far south as Virginia to witness it