St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-04-18
HIDING THE SUN.
Perfect Weather Granted the
Harvard Astronomers at Nina
Arts, Chill.
Numer and Highly Satisfactory
photographs OF the Eclipse
Obtained.

VALPARAISO. April 17.-Observations
of the total solar eclipse were taken
yesterday at Nina Arts. Harvard col
lege station. The weather was clear
during all phases of the eclipse, with no
passing cloud and haze to mar the ob-
servation. Atmospheric conditions were
all that could be wished for, and the
result will be satisfactory to the highest
degree. The corona seen. generally
speaking, resembled that OF 1871,
as graphically portrayed by Capt.
Tupman, and complex like that OBJ
served by Lias in 1857, which extended
some 100000 miles from the sun. There
were four Streamers. two of which mad
length exceeding the SUMS radius, or
stretching out more than 435, 600 miles.
Several dark riffs were visible, extend
ing directly outward from the moons
limb to the utmost limit of the corona.
Filaments were numerous about both
the solar poles. Compared with the
corona of Jan. l, 1889, the corona just
observed was more brilliant. During
the total eclipse yesterday several
flaming solar. prominences attained
great distinction and brllllancy.
Within the streamerS no rapid move
ments were observed, but the impress
| ion OF the scene was rather one of calm
and tranquility. The streamerS were
widely extended at the base, but not
very long. The moon appeared OF al
most inky darkness, with only enough
| illumination at the edge of the disk to
make its rotundity conspicuous, while
from It's orb streamed out on all sides
the radiant filaments, beams and sheets
of'pearly light which formed all lrreg-
| r,Ior ctarliUht daonratinD with the black
lunar globe in its center. The inner
corona was a dazzling brightness, but
| still more dazzling were the eruptlVe
prominences, which blazed through it
as if to use the words of Prof. Young,
Like carbuncleS."
| Generally the inner corona had quite
uniform altitude. forming ring
about four minutes of arc in width, ont
separated with more or less dehnltenesS
the outer corona, which projected to
far greater distance, and was much more
irregular in shape. During totality the
distinctness and brilliancv of several
prominences were pronounced. One OF
these was $4,000 miles in height. The
spectroscopic observations secured are
very promising. AS the eclipse pro
crossed the temperature OF the air rel
considerably below its normal. The
occurred several minutes after totality
10 be more explicit, the outer coron;
was unusually extended, and mucl
larger than in 1878 or in 1899, as was tt
have been expected during the pres
ent period of increasing solar activity
The eclipse observations showed con
clusively that the sun is now far iron
being Quiescent, but is in state o
great disturbance. There was very dis
tant evidence of great spottedness ant
the presence of facul8 or bright torch
like streaks. The color of the coron
was rather whitish tan red and of
pale or pearly white hue. Upon reviey
Of all the observations, it may be SAT-
the corona was a combination of that o
1871 and that of 1857, as drawn by Lais
The photographs of the eclipse oh
tanned at Nina Arts were very numel
Gus and highly satisfactory.