Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-03-16
Observing the EcItpse.


SMOKED CLASSES TURNED skYwARD-PHoro.
GRAPHS TAKEN AT THE OBSERVATORY
The solar eclipse appeared to-day on schedule
time, IL O'Clock, 81 minutes, z seconds WASH
ington mean time; IL O'Clock, ,5 minutes, stand-
ard time. The sky was uncouded here at the
moment of contact and for a few minutes afrer.
ward. subsequently the sun was occasionally
obscured by drifting clouds, but altogether fine
opportunities were afforded for making obser.
vations. In nearly every house smoked glasses
had been prepared, and independent observa-
tons were made. On the streets, during the
afternoon, groups could be seen taking turns
looking through broken piece OF glass begriIned
At the Naval. observatory, observations were
made with every available instrument The
chief work OF the day, however, was that of
ofcontact and subsequently. This work, which
was under the general direction of the superin.
tendent, was conducted by Lieut. A. @. VIM
Brown, Lieut.. w. III. Allen, Lieut. Hero Taylor
and Mr. Gardiner the instrument maker at
noon a number OF privileged persons were ad.
mitted to the grounds in the rear of the obsers
vatory and obtained a view oft situation
The apparatus used was described i'm saturdays
STAR 1t consists Of a reflector, turned by clock.
sun into the object glass of q telescope, which
focuses an image OF the sun forty feet away.
ulated by Lieut. Winterhalter. At the
instant of contact time was called, and
the first Photographic plate was thrown
into position and at once removed. Other
plates followed in quick succession, COLO
dion and gelatine plates being alternated.
AS each plate was showed into the plate holder
IL made a record automatically on a chrome.
graph situated in another building SO that tho
exact exact instant that each photograph was taken
by means OF a chronometer. so that a double
record was kept. After taking fourteen plates
Immediately following il, the work was sus-
pended until the Interesting phases OF the
the sun about Al. inches i'm diameter.
Observations of the first contact were made
by Prof. Hall on the great equatorial telescope,
and by Prof. Frisby, Messrs. Winlock, Paul,
Skinner and other gentlemen on other instru-
The eclipse ended at 2 O'Clock, 80 minutes. 10
seconds p. M, Washington mean time. The
moon passed from west to east over the north-
ern or upper part OF the sun, ooscurng more
than one-half the face OF the sun when the
Time signals were sent from the observatory
eclipse was annular, as to secure o uaitormi.
ty OF record among observers.
No TRACES OF TEMPLES CoMEr.-The oh,
servers At the Naval observatory made careful
search to-day for the mysterious heavenly wish
tor mentioned In Saturdays STAR, which was
discover no traces oft.
TIE EMANCIPATION CELEBRArrox-AN n
meeting saturday night OF the committee on srs
rangements for the emancipation celebration.
On church or hall, Rev. R. S. Laws and w n
Scott and Randall Bowie; on music, c. h Mar.
car Tarieeh and ". II. Barker emaa on eocstiss Msm
Belt, s. Z; Jones, w. II. Simpson, NV. Frsernsn
TIE AMERICAN TRAcr socrErr.-u tbe
sixfieth annual meeting OF the American Trac1
last evening, interesting reports OF The operS,
tons OF the society were made by Rev. Dr. a.
S l. sShsaFer the financial :ecretsry 81 tie :ocissH
ex-Justice Strong, Rev. Dr. A. w. Pitses 6oX
Dr. J. g. Butler. Judge Blake sad othSR