Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-11
TuraREAr ECIIPsE.

On the sixth of May next there will be
an eclipse of the sun of very special interest.
The total part of an eclipse usually lasts
about two minutes, this will continue six
minutes. The opportunity is golden one
There will be time TO notice with COM
pleteness hitherto, since our instruments
were perfected, impossible, that wondrous
envelope of the sun, the chromosPhere with
which, and its adjuncts, physicists are eager
to become more perfectly acquainted. Ques-
tons of great moment await solution, and
the unusual duration of this eclipse will
give long coveted opportunity. The sun
il all in all to US. We are dependent upon
IT, and our world is a mere adjunct and
satellite to that grand center of our system.
What the sun is; why its surface is con-
tinuslly changing and in commotiop; Why
the atmosphere of that body is composed of
what we may call, steam of iron and cop
per and other metals, that form, when con-
densed, the rain that falls upon the globe Of
the sun; what are the spots, and what causes
them to form, and many other problems the
scientists are painting for opportunity 10
solve, and six minutes instead Of two promises
much. Another problem, which it is hoped
an eclipse of the duration OF this one may
solve, has long puzzled astronomers. 1t is
this: A number of planets circulate around
the SUP. The first, the nearest TO the sun at
present known, is the planet Mercury. Some
astronomers, observing the sun with good
telescopes, declare they have seen little
black bead crossing the face of the sun at
times. This little black bead can easily be
understood by those who witnessed the cross
ing of the sun BY the planet Venus some
weeks ago. But this dark body was not
Venus, nor was it Mercury; they were in
other parts of their orbits; therefore the
black bead was a planet that is situated
nesrer the sun than Mercury. Those who
say they have seen this inter.planet are Of
sufficient authority, taken together, to make
astronomers think there may be such
planet; but the observations, in number, in
minuteness and in accuracy, have not been
sufficient to satisfy scientific minds
that there is an inter-planet. There
may be-with a iotality of eclipse
of six minutes there is good reason
to expect that, if such planet exists, il will
be seen. AT other times, if there is such
planet, it cannot be seen on account of it's
neArness TO the san burying it, 90 to speak,
in the sums light. The possibility alone of
making this discovery certain gives unusual
interest to the approaching eclipse. The full
six minutes gives room for strong hopes;
but-ahl there is but in this case az in 60
many others. The shut" here Is a rather
singular one. This six minutes gives pre-
cious tint, but-by astrange fatality there is
scarcely earth space to see it in. The path along
which the eclipse can be seen passes over the
sea, except narrow strip Of land in the South
Pacific ocean. Solid ground in South Amer
lea and in Australia is just missed, most UNI
fortunately; also nearly all the Pacific
islHnds. One of them, however, il within
the line OF the eclipse; = coral reef among
the Flint and Caroline Islands il the SPOT.
and there an American expedition ia TO
be stationed. The party leaves New
York this month for Panama, thence
10 Callso, Peru; thence to the Caroline
slAaa. 1o' south latitude, and IO5e