The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1882-06-22
The Total Solar Eclipse.

The Total Solar Eclipse.
The total solar eclipse of the 18th of
May was successfully observed by En-
glish, French and Italian parties at So
ham, a village in Lower Egypt, on the
Nile. The duration of totality at that
point was only seventy-two seconds, but
the observers did prompt and efficient
work in this short space of time. The
telegraph swiftly, bore. the record of
their labors to our W estern World, and
the first fruits include the view of a
comet near the sun, indications of a lC-
mar atmosphere, and photograph of
the spectrum of the corona
The precious seconds when the suns
face was hidden by the moon dark
shadow revealed in the first place a
comet near the sun. 1t could not be a
Comet or Comet Wells, for that much
talked of visitor to Northern skies would
not reach perihelion until the 10th of
June, and had, therefore, three weeks
time in which to speed its course to the
near neighborhood of the great lumina-
ry. It will be comforting to those who
have borrowed trouble from it's close
approach to the solar fires to know that
another comet, eluding the grasp of
terrestrial observers, is safely circling
around the magnet of the system with
out let or hinderance. 1t has not thus far
fallen into the sun to add fuel to his
flames and bring destruction to the
earth. 1t will doubtless keep on its
harmless course and pass with quickened
step beyond solar bounds to star-depths
unfathomable, as myriad other comets
have done before and will do again, for
observation confirms the theory that
space is full of comets, meteors and in
tangible forms of matter. A small por-
ton of the mighty army becomes visi-
BILE in the form of comets and meteors,
but the invisible denizens of space far
exceed those that are visible. For every
comet that spans the sky with it's Cos
samer tail millions pass over our heads
unseen. For every meteor that falls
upon our world millions of millions fall
upon other worlds, while vain would be
the effort to form any idea of the infinite
numbers Of those that fall upon our sun,
or the countless suns of space The
comet seen near the darkened sun has
been photographed, and the picture of
the daring intruder in solar domains
will form study of attractive interest.
The second item coming from the
eclipse observers is more astounding
than the first, for the darkening of the
lines of the spectrum, as seen by the
French astronomers, gives indication of
lunar atmosphere. If this observa-
ton is substantiated there will be rev.
olution in existing ideas concerning
lunar physics. Our nearest celestial
neighbour, the moon, at least the side
turned toward the earth. has for a long
time been considered the abode of desc
lation, her purpose in the material econ
omy accomplished, dead world, SYM
Dol of the fate in reserve for the earth in
the slow revolution of ages. Years ago
an observer detected a rosy cloud float
| ing over the lunar crater Linneus, but
the phenomenon was looked upon by
more staid astronomers as a flight of
fancy. A few years ago an observer in
one of the Western States detected a
change of form and an appearance of
volcanic action around one of the moon
craters, but the scientific world in gen
eral considered it an optical illusion. 1t
may be that these observers were not SO
far out of the way, though the startling
discovery will not be accepted without
strong proof to verify it. Those who
are best acquainted with the moon as
seen in the telescope will be slow to be-
lieve in the slightest manifestation of
| life on her chaotic surface.
One more meager item closes the first
bulletin from the eclipse expeditions.
1t is that the spectrum of the corona
was photographed for the first time.
We may, therefore, hope for increased
knowledge of the constitution of the
ini toa eeess s sp anSv ssnu Sa
as to make the beholder feel like veil
ing his eyes in the celestial presence.
The corona, with its silvery light, its
spreading wings, its circles, arches and
curves stretching out into fathomless
depths around the darkened sun, is
considered as one of the most impress
i've and awe-inspiring sights in which
celestial majesty and grandeur are ever
embodied. Its constituents and office
in solar economy are problems whose
solution is much desired.
The English eclipse expedition OBJ
serving g at Soham, with Prof. Lockyer
as the chief director, laid out an organ
lied plan of operations. Some of their
| points of observation were to note if the
| abundance and activity of the rosy pro-
tuberances gave proof of the present dis
| turbed condition of the sun while pass
ing through its maximum period of sun
| spots; to compare and detect the differ
S,,f Nf flo, ri
sun spots; to get an idea of the physics
of the solar atmosphere-tha to find
what it looks like, to study--if the ex-
preston may be used--its circulatory
| system; and to determine its chemical
nature, especially if the chemical ele-
ments existing in the sun are dissociated
or separated by the intense temperature
existing there. Special attentionis now
| directed to solar physics and chemistry,
in consequence of the bold and ingeni-
GUS theory of DR.. Siemens on the con,
servation of solar energy.
Photography was greatly relied upon
in the solution of these intricate prob
| lens, and so much have methods i'm
| proved in the rapidty with which the
image can be impressed on the sensitzed
plate that seconds will now record more
than minutes did twenty years ago. The
telescope and the spectroscope CON-
bined with the photograph in the at
tack on the suns surroundings during
the eclipse. -Scientifc american.
VoraciOus Swamps.
The "Tamarack Swamps," near