The Washington weekly post., 1900-05-29

| most intricate and delicate nature. wss
| successfully accomplished. and the re-
| suits OF our observations have more than
exceeded eur most sanguine expecta-
| tious"
At the expected minute the corona fash
ed out in double fan-lik- form Of great
beauty. Several solar prOminences were
distinctly observed on both the following
and advancing limb. Those on the ap-
preaching limb. however were more dis
tinct and continuous. The corona extend
ed about half a degree from the suns
limb iE the direction OF the eclipse with
streamers plainly visible.
Prof. Otis Ashmore, OF the Naval Oh
se-vatoTy party. describes the eclipse IS
follows:
The great total eclipse OF the sun pasS-
ed of to-day on schedule time under the
most favorable conditions, and the hearts
o. the astronomers are happy with the
hope that the results will prove a great
contribution 70 astronomical science.
The first contact was observed by Prof
Hill. of the Naval Observatory. and Ash
E.ore. Of Savannah In both instruments
the contact was sharp and distinct, AMI
beth observers we've in close accord with
each other and with the computed time
Within half an hour after the first con
tact the landscape began to take Oura
peculiar, gloomy appearance. and A slight
ckilliness was noticeable As the time Of
tOtality approached every observer was In
position, and nothing but the measured
heats OF the electric SOUnder marking off
time in unison with the great Observatory
clock in Washington could b. heard Ev-
cry eye was directed To that position o.
the Suns limb where the contact was to
appear
Suddenly the black ragged edge of the
moon Obtruded itself upon the bright disk
of the sun, gradually stealing across its
surface. and the eclipse was on. For The
next hour but little observation was made
or needed. During this time. however,
the observing party went through another
drill to get ready for the supreme mo-
ments OF totality.
over on a high hill one mile to the
north. an observer Vas stationed 10 an.
nOuTce the coming shadow from the
southwest. The horizon was clear for
many miles. and soon the black wall CT
the on-rushing umbra was seen approach
ing with the velocity Of a cannon ball. I'm
a few seconds it overwhelmed our station
and the total phase vas upon Us. Instant
ly from all sides Cf the sun there Mashed
a beautiful corona Of wonderful pearIy
lustre. extending itself on opposite sides
of the sun in the shape of a double fan.
1t was just such a corona as | had ex-
pected
The solar prOminenCPs were plainly |
visible, and especially were they marked
in extent on the western limb / saw but
few polar streamers, but these were dis !
tinct
I'm the brief space of eighty-three sec |
onds twenty photographs were obtained |
on the solar axes and four N the photo |
heliograph. | succeeded in getting a good |
crayUn sketch of the corona and promi- |
nences by special arrangement with DR.. |
Aiken. of Savannah. and Prof ChappeIl. |
OF NilledSeville. The shadow bands were !
carefully observed, and DR.. Aiken, in his |
Own skillful way. photographed them. bur
II is not yet known that this was success
ful. If so, DR.. Aiken will have the dis
tinguiShed honor of being the first to sue
ceed in this delicate work
Soon the flash of the sun as it reap-
Deared announced the end of totaiIty. and |
the corona disappeared IS suddenly as II
came into view. For an hour or more the
moon slowly Crawled off the disc of the
sun without special incident. Many ANA
teur photographers took snap shots at the !
corona, and Ii is to be hoped with some
success, The whole phenomenon was most
oea utiful and most Impressive
Some of the photographs will be devel-
)ped here but most of them will be taken |
10 Washington for more careful manipt.-
alton. The observing party will leave for
in a few days"