Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-19

travel have been able to view the great
spectacle; this time a million of people at
least can witness the phenomenon from
their own doorsteps. Other millions dwell
within an easy days journey of the path of
totality. and far more than half the entire
population of the country will be able to
witness a portion of the show at home for
a partial eclipse will be visible in every
state east of the Mississippi. Nature has
arranged no similar display with such con-
sideration for the masses within genera
ton. Total eclipses were visible in the
United States in 1867. 1878 and 1889, but
their paths did not traverse closely settled
regions.
"An Aboard for the Eclipse"
Already the railroads have begun to take
advantage of the situation. None of the
great cities of New York. Philadelphia, Bal
timore, Washington, Richmond, Pittsburg,
Cincinnati and Louisville is more than
twelve or fourteen hours removed from the
path of totality, while some are much near
er, and, according to Prof. S. ]. Brown, as
Economical director of the naval observa-
tory, arrangements are being made by sew
eral of the lines which connect those cities
with convenient localities where the eclipse
will be total to run special eclipse excur-
Sions, some on the day of the event and
some on the day just preceding 1t. This
will undoubtedly result in temporary
boom for many of the eclipse cities. Be
sides the great towns mentioned, every one
of the Atlantic coast cities south of Norfolk
is within easy reach of the great show, and
every one of them will unquestionably send
its quota of Sightseers.
The accessibility of the path of the eclipse
will render the coming event of incalculable
value to science. Preparations are being
made by nearly all the scientific institutions
in the country to place their best instru-
ments and most skilled observers in the
field. The United States government will
spend thousands of dollars establishing OBJ
servatiOn stations along the path of the
eclipse. AS Uncle Sans chief star gazer,
Professor Brown will have charge of the
governments principal observations. He is
making preparations for the work with a
knowledge born of long experience and q
natural genius in all matters appertaining
to his science. He has been connected with
the observatory for nineteen years. He Is
a graduate of the Naval Academy at An
napolis and holds the rank of commander
in the navy.
Great Results Looked For.
Greater results are probable from the
observations this year. says Professor
Brown. than from any taken heretofore.
During the half decade since the last total
eclipse there have been great strides in i'm
provements in the apparatus employed in
the work. Photography has been wonder
fully developed and the improvements in
photography alone may effect remarkable
discoveries during this years eclipse. More
over. the ease with which the eclipsed re-
gion may be visited will increase the num-
| Der of scientific observers enormously.
The government is already preparing to
| occupy several stations along the path of
totality. The necessary apparatus is being
gathered and arranged and men specially
adapted for the work are being engaged
and their special parts in the observations
are being outlined. Congress has allowed
5000 to the naval observatory for expenses
and $4,000 to the Smithsonian Institute
The naval observatory will send out two OK
petitions. The points from which they will
observe the eclipse have not yet been chosen
definitely, but they will probably be located
about 900 miles apart, one in North Caro-
| lima and the other in Georgia. floating
cloud which might obscure the eclipse at
one point may not affect in the slightest the
| the danger from cloudiness that has caused
| the division Of forces.
Locating the Stations.
I'm anticipation of this years eclipse the
| weather bureau has for three years past
| been collecting data of the weather conli-
| tions in past Mays along the line of totality
| at all times of the day. The result of this
| Investigation has been to show that there
| is less danger of cloudiness In central Geor
gia and eastern Alabama nearly due south
/ of Atlanta, and that therefore this is the
| best region for locating the eclipse stations
| SO far as that consideration Is concerned.
| The scientists of the observatory, however.
| have taken thought of other conditions AL
| so, and although the period of eclipse ia
| longer in the neighborhood Of Norfolk have
| about decided to establish stations on high
ground in North Carolina and Georgia
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