The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-15

Hence it is necessary, in order that
the phenomena of solar eclipse be
observed and studied by astronomers
that eclipse expeditions be organized
and thousands of miles traversed in
order that for two or three minutes
observations may be made. The ex
pense of these expeditions is great. in
volving, as in the case of the eclipse
of last Sunday, carriage of telescopes,
cameras, and delicate astronomical
instruments thousands of miles. In
this country, thanks to the liberality
of individuals and the resources of
our great institutions of learning, our
astronomers are always given the
means for these extensive journeys
and costly preparations. In England
the expense of these expeditions is
born by special fund, provided by
the Government Grant Committee of
the Royal Society, and ship or ships
of Her Majesty's navy is always
placed at the disposal of astronomers
for these expeditions.
AS the line of totality in the eclipse
Of last Sunday began near the Shet-
land Islands, curved north to Nor
way and. swept across Finland and
Siberia to Japan and was finally lost
in the Pacific Ocean, astronomers has
tened to the most favorable points on
this line from all parts of Europe and
America. The United States sent two
expeditions to Japan, one from Am
herst College and the other from the
Lick Observatory, and England sent
two parties to Norway, one to Bcdo
on the western coast and another to
Vadso on the Varanger Fjord, and al
SO one expedition to Japan. Rus
sian astronomers were prepared to
observe it at different places in Fin
land and Siberia. France also sent
an expedition to Japan, which coun-
try, owing to the turn of the eclipse,
would present the most favorable op
portunity for observation.
The chief objects of interest to
astronomers in the observation of a
solar eclipse are what is called the
solar promipences, the corona and the
watches for any intra mercurial plan
ct, for which, if it exists, the darkness
at the time of totality affords practi-
cally the only opportunity for observ-
ing. LIE Verrier, the discoverer of
Neptune, affirmed the existence of a
planet which he named Vulcan, ly-
ing between Mercury and the sun,
but his conjecture has not been veri-
fed by observation and astronomers
generally do not now believe in its
existence.
AS regards the solar prominence,
rose-colored or fame -colored flash
ings seen in an eclipse on the edge of
the sun,-these can be observed at
other times as we'll and hence but lit
tie attention is now paid to them, the
chief object of interest being the mys-
ter ious corona, or circle of pale light
that surrounds the sun at the time of
an eclipse. OF the structure extern
sion and character of this solar ap-
pendage but little has yet been
learned and great interest, therefore,
attaches to the observations upon it
made at every eclipse. 1t is by all
odds the most interesting and impor-
tant problem in astro physics as well
as the most difficult, and from the
improved instruments of observation
to be used this year much was hoped
by astronomers. By means of i'm
provements, for instance, in the ap-
pication photography it was hoped
that better photographs or corona
graphs would be taken this year than
ever before, and for this reason news
of the success of the observations Ia
ken last Sunday will be waited for
with great interest by astronomers
throughout the world.
CINCINN ATT, o.