The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-16
THE ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.
The Results Of Government Observa-
tions Very Successful.


tions Very Successful.
WASHINGTON, June IA preliminary
account of the observations al Wadesboro,
n. c., during the recent eclipse, under
the direction of the Smithsonian Institute,
has been prepared by c. G. Abbott, Of the
Institution.
THE main object of the investigation
says Mr. Abbott was the corona, and Of
this, first, Photographic study of the de-
tailed structure and the inner corona;
with. second, a determination by the
bolometer whether appreciate heat
reaches us from it. and if possible, an
examination Of the form Of its spectrum
curve.
The eclipse was notably not a dark
one. second magnitude stars We're observed
with the naked eye. Most Of the observers
saw only mercury. The high degree of
illumination operated unfaVorably in the
study of the outer corona.
The fall of temperature and rising
breeze We're distinctly noticeable before
totaiity. No change in direction OF Tie
wind was noted. Shadow bands were seen,
but those observers who attempted to
measure their velocity found them too
rapid and pickering for any successful
work in this direction.
1T was noticed that the birds were
silent during totality, but true to their
ma ture, the English sparrows We're last
to be still and first to begin their discus
sion of the eclipse after the return of light.
The attention of all visual observers
was caught by the equatorial streafners.
Father Woodman described the appear
ance as like mother of pearl. but different
observers differed on the color and limit.
a yellowish green tinge was noted by the
artist of the party, Mr.. Child, while to
,foro
golden The visual telescophic observa-
tons of the writer gave little indication
Of the finely divided structure of the inner
corona, which had been noted at Pixies
Peak during the eclipse OF 1878. One re-
rnarkatle prominence was seen as we'll as
several smaller ones, but the coronal
streamsrs did not give to visual observers
the impression OF being connected in any
way with the prominences.
"AIl observers reported successful
carrying ont of the programme. The
greatest interest centered in the direct
corona mega tives taken with the 1S5-foot
telescope. Mr. Smllie exposed SIX 30xSo
plates during the totaity. with times
ranging from one-half to sixteen seconds.
All of these negatives have not yet been
developed. Those of one-half second,
two seconds and four seconds exposure
have been hurriedy examined, however.
and they give clear indications of the
crossing and re-crossing of flaments like
the appearance of a field of grain bend
ing in the wind. The promirences and
polar streamers appear in imposing mag
nitude and detail.
Mr.. Abbott, with the aid of Mr.. Mend
thai. detected the heat of the corona,
proba bly, for the first time. Ohserva-
lions with the boometer showed that
the corona gave positive indication of
heat as compared with the moon This
heat. though certain was, however too
slight to be sllb-divided by the dispersion
of the prism with the means at hand.
1.-The negati taken TO depict the
outer corona show three to four solar
diameters extending the length of the
streamers. The equatorial wings assume
n more lair-like proportions as they re-
cede from the sun and are finally lost.
mo attempt to clearly examine the
mates taken for intramercurial planets
has vet been possible. 1t is, however,
doubtful if any very faint objects will
he found in consideration of the consid-
cradle sky illumination during the TO-
tally.
"However, Pleione and many fainter
stars in the Pleiades were plainly seen
on one of the plates.
.sOn the whole the expedition may fairly