The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1900-06-13
THE SUN IN E@RSE.
ideal Weather in the Path Of the
Moons Shadow.
MANY OBSERVATIONS TAKEN.

Hopes OF Important Results From tn
Photographs-work at Nearly Every
Station Done without n Hitch-Grest
Interest Shown In This and Other
Countrles-Planet Eros I.ediscovere :
ATLANTA, Ga. Especially In every sec.
lion OF the Southeastern States over whtc b
the belt OF totallty OF the suns eclipse
extended tho weather was ideal for the
observation OF this remarkable phenoue.
non.
In the southern portion Of Alabama there
was some hazlness, but other than this the
astronomers and scientists who located
their observatorles In North and South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana
report that the weather could not have
been more ausplclous for the study OF tue
suns eclipse and for securing splendid
photographs OF 1t.
From the many stations OF observation
established by universities and sclentlnc
and private parties the reports Indicate
that the taking OF scientific data WAS en-
tirely successful, aud no Incidents occurred
to mar In the smallest degree tue full bene-
flt that was expected 20 be derived from
the event bv the scientists, many OF whom
made lorg journeys to view the eclipse for
elghty.ave seconds. ~
Astronomers took many photographs
during the period OF totallty. It IS ex-
pected that these photographs WILL reveal
much thut never has been seen by tae
naked eye, aided by the telescope. New
planets may be discovered. Remarkable
falls in temperature we're experienced
while the sun was obscured. The corona,
Venus, Mercury and Bailey's beads were
plainly visible. The planet Eros. which,
disappeared behind the sun last septem-
Der, rear peared. At BarnesVllle, Ga, FRO
fessor Eastman discovered remarkable
pink color In the corona. The latter was
seen to extend for 100000 miles In three
streamers OF equal length, and another OF
half their dimensions.
Professor Lord, OF the Ohio State Uni
verslty, believes he obtained results that
tend to prove that the mysterious matter
which forms tue corona is to be found also
In the solar proninences. From the stand
point Of grandeur the spectacle was awe!
inspiring. The movements ofthe heavenly
elapsed from the time Of the !arst contact
until the great shadow was seen sweeping
over the earth from the southwest. Just
as tha moon covered the face Of the, sun
Mercury came into prominence. y 3ss
The path Of totality began fnthe Pacific
Ocean lust west OF Mexico. 1tpassed east.
ward across Mexico, and entered the
United States near New Orleans, proceed
Ing In northeasterly direction until 1t left
the continent close to Norfolk, Va. Then
1t crossed the Atlantic, touched Portugal
and afterward passed across Northern
Africa, leaving the earth finally near tue
northern end of the Red Sea. - ..
The eclipse was visible throughout North
America, Europe and Africa, but was total
only In some parts of Louisiana, Alabama,
Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
aud Virginia In the United States. It was
unprecedented In more than one respect.
Its path OF totallty, instead OF extending
through sparsely settled regions or run.
ming over scant expanse OF water, crossed
six States In populous portion OF the
country, all OF the region being easily ac-
cessbls by rail and water. y
It has been eleven years since similar
event was witnessed, but the advancement
OF astronomical science and the marvellous
Improvements IN telescopes, photography,
and electrical apparatus Insured more
complete observations than ever before
known. The United States. Government
and all great educational institutions made
elaborate and costly preparations to get
OF dollars were expended In this way.
While great interest attached to the
eclipse itself, the object Of the astronomers
composing "ecllpse expeditions" from all
parts Of the country was not alone to OBJ
serve the passing OF the moon before the
sun, but the study OF the corona. This
particular branch OF the phenomena gener.
ally attending an eclipse has perhaps at
tracted most attention, as the cause OF the
corona is not yet determined.
Magnificent as the spectacle was In nart
OF tho path thnt 1t traver5ed from New
Orleans to Norfolk, the conditions for the
observation in fur-off Alglers we're the
most perfect ever vouchsaied astronomers
within tue memory OF the Oldest OF them.
England, France, Germany, Italy aud
Switzerland sent their most skillful pro-
fessors In the study OF the wonders OF the
heavens, and well were they repaid for the
journey.
Generally speaking, the observations
taken by tile astronomers were confined to
three separate lines OF work-the old
method OF telescopic observations, the
viewing OF the eclipse with the naked eye,
aud the photographing OF the phenome--
OF the ecliDse.