Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-10-12
For the SPECTATOR.
Eclipse Of the Sun.
LOOKOUT ON OCT. 20, AT 11:20 A. NJ.

| LOOKOUT ON OCT. ~, AT ll.SU a. N.
Astronomy has selected October Goth, on
which to give grand exhibition to supstan-
| tiate to degree the correctness OF astronoml-
cal data and to dispel John-Jasperism from
any in whom such may have found fertile
spot to sow the seeds of hallucination. The
moon revolves aroun the earth in about q
days, and the sun, moon, and earth coming
on line in space cause an eclipse. The eclipse
of the sun is caused by the interposition of the
moon, occurring at new moon, and the eclipse
of the moon by the interposition of the earth,
occurring at full moon. The revolutions OF
the moon cause both the eclipses of the sun
and the moon. The eclipse of the sun is sim
ply an obscuration-no shadow being thrown
upon the suns disc at all-nor can such be the
case at any time, for the sun is the source OF
light. We shall view the sun, as it were,
through the moon. To the man-in the moon,
this will be a genuine th-eclipse. The
earth will enter the moons secondary shadow
some hours before the time given above, but
this will be of no special Importance to US.
She will enter the primary shadow yclept
penu,nbra, at 11:20 a. m. standard eastern time.
The U. s., except the southwestern portions
will be the recipients of very good view of
the eclipse. 1t will begin in the northwest at
about 11:20, and will move eastward through
the combined influence of the eastward mo-
tons of both the moon and the earth in their
orbits-the rotation of the earth serving to
hold this eastward advancement in check.
Thus our view is somewhat delayed, and the
shadow will not burst upon US until nearly
II. This will give our schools grand oppor
tunity to behold one of Natures sublime
proofs of the rushing rabble of cosmic and
micro-cosmic worlds. The intermission at II
o'clock may be made highly enjoyable, if you,
Dear Teacher, will only spice the thrilling,
rapturous realization of nature with little
seasonable explanation. would suggest that
you draw diagram of this phenomenon on
your blackboard, and explain, as well as you
can, the forthcoming event. Draw mental
picture Imperfect as it may Beg and transfer
this to the board or paper, remembering that
nothing perfect can be put upon either. You
as we'll as they will then be better prepared !
for it. What will the little kids under your
charge think when they see you actually |
startled at the darkness of the sun? And don't
you think that the last day is at hand,
(however, it may Beg or that there will surely |
follow, Pyrotechnie display of stars falling
from the ethereal regions. "Be on your p's
and q's," but do not expect too much. About
ninetenthS of the sun will be obscured, but
this is booked for Greenland; you will only see
about oue-half of the suns disc obscured.
That's enough appreciate this only KNOW
what you are going to see. If you have no
telescope be ready with smoked glass. Your
pupils may accept this as geography, as phi
losophy, or as astronomy-in fact twill be
one and all of these sciences Even the small
est pupils will be interested and ask ques-
tons concerning the phenomenon. Answer
their questions as carefully as possible, and
REMEMBER that First impressions are the
most lasting" For the little folks, this is
only geography. Only realize it, and every
fiber of mind and soul will tremble in the
force of the thought. 1t is not lack of talent
it is not lack of intelligence soul-power-
of poetic sense of the marvellous-the beauti-
ful-the miraculous-that we fail fully to
realize the stupendous facts of nature around
us, but because we suffer the better side of
our nature-of ourselves-to be slumbering
unused.
''Why should my soul have lived so dead
As never to have said
While round the zodiac we whirled-
My own! my bonny, bounding world"
1t will be worth your watchfulness, but
Oh, may no earth-bCrn cloud arise,
10 hide it from our longing eyes.
AER o. LITE.
Bunkumville Va.