Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-04-13
New York Times.

ne are several quite important and
interesting phenomena TO distinguish the
month Of April and make it of more
than usual consequence. The evGnt OF
greatest moment and most attractive to
the scientist is the total eclipse of the
sun on the 18th and 10Th of the month.
While we are not permitted to see the
eclipse IN this latitude, il occurs under
circumstances which make its observa-
ton peculiarly promising to science. At
such Il time, as at no other, our great
luminary is Invested for a few minutes
of his dazzling glory and fully exposes
his coronal appendages to the camera.
Then, II ever, it is that astronomers can
gain clear views of the structure, the
surging movements, the tremendous
eruptions, and the mysterious distur-
Dances of the mighty orb of day which
actuates the machinery of the earth's
atmosphere and ocean and so powerN
fully affects all our material interests.
This year the eclipse occurs at II time
when the solar fires are in eXtrGordi-
nary blast, and the photosphere is con.
vulsed by enormous cyelone-like spots.
II will be visible in regions compare
lively near and accessible, at time
when astronomers are better prepared
tunity. Eclipse observations will, more
over, be especially valuable as possibly
throwing some conclusive light upon
the climatic and meteorological intlu-
ences eXerted upon own planet by the
sun when the periodical changes OF his
activity arc in progress and nearing a
maximum. Upon more accurate
knowledge of these solar changes it is
a In Frt uIlts .f,f ,,itr ts.r
restrial meteorology and magnetism will
to n great degree depend.
4 he eclipse this year will be visible in
the comparatively cloudless regions of
both the African desert and of South
America, a very important considera-
ton, and one not likely to be so we'll
fulfilled in any other eclipse for the
next half century. Along the path Of
total eclipse there are several admirable
stations available for observation, while
vessels tiayersing the Atlantic trade
wind zone will be in fine positions for
observing the phenomenon.
In the eclipses observed during years
of minimum solar disturbance the large,
bright.red, regular corona of former
years was seen to have given place to Il
white one of different shape, and the
suns philosophers was remarkably ex-
panded on the plane of his equator.
forming long extensions on either side
of the orb, which appeared as forks of
light.
This unique formsof the corona has
rarely been seen in years of great sun
spot frequency. At such periods it
shows tendency to general enlarge
ment and also to accumulation in the
spot zones or higher solar ATTITUDES.
The scientists are apparently compelled
TO regard the somewhat general con
traction, with pale equatorial extensions
OF the suns coronain years Of miGimum
spottedness, as evidence Of declining
elelEy, and the far brighter, more uni
formly extended, and pink corona II
maximum years as evidence that the
solar furnaces have been rcplcnishra
and are in unusually ferocilus blast.
Perhaps there could be no more con.
elusive proof of there being a n.an IN
the moon than the fact that the phe.
nomenon known as the "full" occurs
twice in April, For short month Ia
contain hye phases is somewhat re.
markable. The first of the month
brought Us full moon, and the last
will duplicate it, but the latter being
somewhat further south will probably
seem warmer and nearer to us. The
9th has the phase Of last quarter, and
April's new moon does not come until
the 10Th.
The coincidence between the day of
the total eclipse and that of new moon
will possibly strike those most interested
in regarding the heavens, as it is only
when the moon comes between the sun
and the earth that an aclipse can occur.
New moon always takes place when tic
moon is on the side of the earth nearer
the sun, as full moon can only han
pen when the moon is on the side of
the earth opposite the sun. facts which
for convenience it would be well to bear
in mind.
There is conjunction between moon
and planet eight times during April the
first being with Uranus Tomorrow
morning, and the last with the same
planet Just as the month is about ia
close. On the 14th comes Mercury's
turn, then Venus, two days later, which
is the closest for the month; Jupiter
comes the following day, and on tho
10Th Neptune and the growing crescent
are at their closest. Mars receives 4
visit on the 10th and Saturn on the 9Th
about midnight. This last will make
the best spectacular showing, for, while
the moon is somewhat tJo bright, it viii
be interesting to see the two bodies Sd
close together, besides which tho
majority of the other conjunctions ar,
hidden from our view.
Were VIC really permitted to see
Uranus as plainly as we see Venus
Jupiter, or even Saturn, the place OF
most distinction among the planets fol
April would have TO be awarded TO this
far-distant heavenly body. He is now
to be sure, fairly visible to the naked
eye, shining as star Of the sixth mag,
nitude about 1872 southeast OF Inc
bright star Spca, in the constellation OF
the Virgin. Unless one were to bring a
telescope to aid his natural vision, he
could hardly distinguish the planet from
the host of stars of equal brilliancy that
surround him. With that aid, however
the delicate green color and steady light
of the planet make him fairly conspicu.
GUS in his setting of twinklers.
What makes Uranus particularly de-
serving of our interest this month IS the
fact of his being in opposition with tho
sun on the 2Sth, after which he will be
one of the galaxy of evening stars Its
greatest diameter for the year also oc,
ours at this time, when it subtcnds an
angle Of 3.S2 seconds, but whcn at its
furthest away this angle is only 34g
seconds. 1t must be borne in mind
however, that small though these angles
be, very considerable number of mile.
of distance are involved From the fac
of its having measurable disk il:
IN n .,