The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-05-26
THE COMING ECLIPSE.
What the Stay-at-Homes May Hope to
See

What the Stay-at- Homes May Hope to
See
The ready accessibility of Norfolk and
its neighborhood may be expected TO
lead to a great influx of spectators
Virginia Beach, which is readily ac-
cessble, is not far north OF the CEN
trail line. But it is quite possible that
observers on or around Hampton ROADS
may really see some grand features Oh
the scene which will not be graspec by
those in the interior. If the astronon-
ical tables are perfectly exact the euse
of the shadow will pass over newport
News and Old Point Comfort. Specta-
tors at these points will, therefore, nave
the shadow on one side OF them anu
sunlight on the other. Unfortunately,
the astronomer cannot guarantee the
correctness Of his prediction Wltnlh TWO
or three miles. This is not surprising
if one reflects that the correctness OF
the production must depend on the po-
stion and motion of heavenly pouy
nearly a quarter of million miles
AWAY. which had to be derived from
table made whole generation III ao-
vance, by mathematical methoos so
difficult that the most painstahlng re-
searches of the ablest mathematlclahs
of the world have not yet brought thelo
to perfection.
That large majority of the pupiic
that cannot visit the region OF total
phase will be interested IN the phe-
nomena to be seen at their MONIES In
the eastern states the eclipse VIII De
seen a little before o'clock; at WASH
ington the beginning will be ABOUT
7:45; at New York about 1850, or little
later. From the time OF beginning 70
that of greatest phase viii be NIUE
more than an hour At New YORK the
greatest phase will occur about y
o'clock. The sun will then be about
nineteen tWenteths covered. Nothlhg
will remain of it but an exceedingly
thin crescent, as thin as the falntest
new moon. The eclipse VIII be as great
all along the eastern coast, as lar as
Boston. 1t will be considerable through
the whole state of New YORK. On tie
borders of the Great Lakes the sun VIII
be about seven-eighths covered ID
servers who are not fortunate enough
to get within the shadow VIII, there
fore, not be wholly cut off from an IN
teresting spectacle.
An observer who wishes to see the
phenomenon to the best possible adVan
tage should use comparatively sinail
telescope of low power, common spy
glass or even an opera glass Will sur
fee With such an instrument he can
take in the whole effulgence surround
ing the densely black body Of the moon
a
will be perhaps the most interesting de-
tail that can be observed. They are
not always entirely red The forms
are of the most fantastic and varied
character. As the writer saw one OF
them during the eclipse of 1862 1T might
almost be described as looking IKE
huge pile of snow peaks, glaciers ana
clouds shining in the fun light OF the
sun, and varying in tint from a llght
rosy hue to the brilliant white of dis
tant snow-peak.
A very important point to be con-
sidered is the probability of clear sun
during the total phase. The weather
bureau has for two years past caused
special observations to be made in va
rious towns along the line of totality,
with a view of throwing light on this
point. 1t appears from the results Oh
these Investigations that the chances or
a clear sky are unusually good. Ihey
are best in northern Georgia and south
Carolina, and gradually diminish to-
wards the sea-coast, but even at NOR
folk there seems to be more than an
even chance of success. This is more
than can be said of the general run or
aolipcac Now York Evening Post