Passaic City record., 1900-06-02
THE SUN In ECLIPSE.
Ideal Weather in the Path Of the
Moons Shadow.
MANY OBSERVATIONS TAKEN.

Hopes of Important Results From the
Photographs-work at Nearly Every
Station Done Without a Hitch-Great
Interest shown in This and OF her
Countries-Planet Eros Rediscovere d
ATLANTA, Ga. (Special).-In every sec-
rion of the Southeastern States over whic b
;ne belt of totality OF the suns eclipse
extended the weather was ideal for the
observation OF this remarkable phenome-
non.
In the southern portion of Alabama there
was some haziness, but other than this t he
astronomers and scientists who located
their observatories in North and South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana
report that the weather could not have
been more auspicious for the study of the
suns eclipse and for securing splendid
photographs of it.
From the many stations of observation
established by universities and scientific
and private parties the reports indicate
that the taking OF scientific data was en-
tirely successful, and noincidents occurred
to mar in the smallest degree the full bene-
fit that was expected TO be derived from
the event by the scientists, many of whom
made long journeys to view the eclipse for
eighty-hve seconds.
Astronomers took many photographs
during the period of totality. 1t is ex-
pected that these photographs will reveal
much that never has been seen by the
naked eye, aided by the telescope. New
planets may be discovered. Remarkable
falls in temperature were experienced
while the sun vas obscured. The corona,
Venus, Mercury aud Bailey's beads were
plainly visible. The planet Eros, which
disappeared behind the sun last Septem-
ber, rear peared. At GAINESVILLE. Ga, Pro-
fessor Eastman discovered a remarkable
pink color in the corona. The latter was
seen to extend for 3,500,000 miles in three
streamers OF equal length, and another Of
half their dimensions.
Professor Lord, Of the Ohio State Uni
versity, believes he obtained results that
tend to prove that the mysterious matter
which forms the corona is to be found also
in the solar prominences. From the stand
point of grandeur the spectacle was awe
inspiring. The movements Of the heavenly
bodies were rapid. Not over five seconds
elapsed from the time of the first contact
until the great shadow was seen sweeping
over the earth from the southwest. Just
as the moon covered the face OF the sun
Mercury came into prominence.
The path OF totality began in the Pacific
Ocean just west Of Mexico. 1t passed east
ward across Mexico, aud entered the
United States near New Orleans, proceed
ing in a northeasterly direction until it left
the continent close to Norfolk, Va. Then.
it crossed the Atlantic, touched Portugal
and afterward passed across Northern
Africa, leaving the earth finally near the
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
and Virginia in the United States. It was
unprecedented in more than one respect.
Its path of totality, 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-
cessible by rail and water.
1t has been eleven years since similar
event was witnessed but the advancement
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
the best possible observations, and millions
OF dollars We're expended in this way.
While great interest attached to the
eclipse itself, the object Of the astronomers
composing eclipse expeditions from al
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-
attending an eclipse has perhaps at
tfacted most attention, as the cause of the
corona is not yet determined.
Magnificent as the spectacle was in part
OF the path that it traversed from New
Orleans TO Norfolk, the conditions for the
observation In far-of Algiers were the
most perfect ever vouchsafed astronomers
within the memory of the oldest OF them.
England, France, Germany, Italy and
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 the astronomers were condned o
three separate lines of work-the old
method of telescopic observations, the
viewing of the eclipse with the naked eye,
and tile photographing of the phenomena
of the eclipse.