The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-31
Tomorrow's Astronomical Event.
Why It Will Have Peculiar Inter-
est for Star Students.
A Search to DO Made for the Planet
Vulcan.
Elaborate Preparations for Obser-
vations at Points of Totally.
What Astronomers Hope TO Discover
Why Eclipses Are such Important
Affairs-Apparatus Furnished
by the Government.
From the 81. Louis Republic.

by the Government.
From the ST. Louis Republic.
A total eclipse OF the sun Il always O
most interesting phenomenon, even TO the
unscientitic mind. But TO the scientist II
is a momentous and important event, as
such an eclipse affords opportunity for
studying terrestrial phenomena and decid-
ing cosmic problems Of the most vital i'm.
portance not otherwise possible. There
fore, as the time for an eclipse approaches,
the entire astronomical world is agog with
excited interest, and tho most elaborate
and exhaustive preparations are made Tor
observing and pro6ting by the event.
Parties OF distinguished astronomers from
all parts Of the world are made up TO visit
the favorable points for taking observa-
tons, and there is usually good deal OF
strife for tho honor Of making one of such
party.
On the lst Of next January there will be
an eclipse OF the sun, total in Northern
California and partial in st. Louis. This
eclipse is Of special interest and import.
anco to astronomers, owing TO the very
marked improvement IN certain astronom-
zeal instruments during the past few years,
and particularly Important additions
TO the present fund Of astronomical knowl-
edge are expected TO accrue from this
eclipse. While nearly all the European
Governments, including Russia. have
made appropriations for sending parties TO
California TO observe tits eclipse, our own
Government has utterly neglected the
matter, and but for the liberality aud pub
lie spirit OF the citizens Of few cities Ia
this country America would have no repre-
seuiation in California on the great day.
Among the few CITIES in this country
which will send parties 10 observe the
eclipse is st. Louis. a few residents of
this city, approaching The importance Of
this event, made up a fund 10 enable a
party TO visit California, and Washington
University was chosen for the honor OF
furnishing the personnel Of tho party, which
assisted by Prof. T. A. Easler and Prof.
r. NlHntIs AllL INNN liAA - AHNulH
Friday evening Tor Willows, san Jose
County, Cal, where their observations
will be made.
WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHY.
They are prepared with every insiru.
mcnt and appliance nccdiul for the trip,
and expect 10 achieve very important 10.
suits. Tho most important instrument
taken out by the party u a large Dalmyor
Photographic lens. This instrument Is
designed expressly Tor pholographing ce-
lcstial bodies and Il the most perfect ma.
chine Of is kind known. II IL largely by
means OF this instrument and the new i'm.
proved dry plate system that the most i'm
portant results are expected 10 be obtained.
The eclipse will DO total only about two
minutes, but during this time seven or
eight photographs can DO obtained.
Tho scientific importance of an eclipse Of
the sun rests upon tho fact that II enables
astronomers 10 arrive at results that cannot
otherwise be- obtained and which have a
most vital relation 10 many Of the greatest
cosmic problems.
There are two great probloms which, II
h hoped, will be solved by the obserya.
tons taken during this eclipse u) The
physical problem of the corona, what com.
poses II and how Il IL held suspended In
space abont the sun; anil (2), the gcomet.
real problem Of the moons contacts with
the sun. These, very briefly stated, arc
the principal problems which observers
will attempt b solve nj this eclipse, aud
they include innunerablo problems Of
minor importance.
In the first problem, the Dalmycr photo
graphic lens will be lie principal instrti.
mont used. By means Oithis, thoy expect
10 obtain several very accurate views Of
the corona, which, owing 10 imperfect ap.
pamtus aud tho old aud slow system Of
photography, astronomers have heretofore
been unable 90 aocMa The corona II tho
luminous ring or glofy which surrounds
the dark body of thD moon during an
eclipse Of tlo sun, aud which proceeds
from the sun itsyf. This will bc better
understood by reference 10 the two nc.
companying engraving representing the
total eclipse Of 1919 About the dark
body Of the moon, which entirely covers
the suns surface, ~ Frcn halo OF llmy
light, growing dcnlrr and brighter ns the
suns disc u approachd, and with two or
inoru long Htrvamers oi light not unlike |
the tail oi a comet extending OIL into
space. This il tochnl ally known M the
corona, and is coinpo iiion and tho force |
which propcls II into aud holds Il ont In !
space are among the uosi important and |
Interesting questions nov engaging the ut. |
tcntion VI astronomer There are three |
theories regarding tb corona, ~ follows |
!. That u ~ compos 4 OF cosmcal dust |
held IN suspension IN pace by electrical !
mpulsion. 2 That Il Is composed Of |
matter rovoliug around tho sun, |
aud, 3. That II W composed partly VI |
gnscs and partly Of in ly divided matter |
thrown up by torrinesIorlns.
tina coioNA
The latter theory IA generally accepted |
by Tie best auihouus ~ the most prob |
able. though neither q them j. nuthonti. |
Gated. There IL iny ier.Ous connection /
bciacon the earth AND the corona, whose |
mature, extent and iOro nfc very impor- /
RELY understood. Il r. believed "a in. |
iupucu tho oaith's moi IN and also 10 have |
iuuiu connection with Tie Aurora bofcalis. |
The discovery 81 the nature Of the Gle. |
innnis composing tho corona and the iOrco |
which controls Il. Will eventually decide |
tbesc question: together With many more. |
The observation Of coniacis, !. e., tho
exact instant wlun The od;c Of the moon |
touches the edge Ol tlir fun ~ approach. |
ing. End the oxnot i no when tho moon |
cllu. the disc oithpi body iu leaving, !
Will enable aslrOnoiuers " calculate ihs /
laeyitc moment whom siraighl line would |