Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-19

There will be but minute and half in
which to make all the observations, and it
is imperative that the whole affair should
be carefully systematized and that each
man should know definitely and absolutely
what he Is to do.
To Take Observations.
mo previous eclipse has had the atten-
ton of SO many skilled observers as will
watch this one, The Smithsonian Institute
will have a corps in the field under Prof S.
p. Langley. Princeton University will have
force under Prof. Young, the University
Of Pennsylvania under Prof. Stone, and the
Yerkes observatory will conduct an expedi-
ton with Prof. Hale at its head. These are
only few Of the institutions which are
preparing for Ghe field. In fact, practically
every college and scientific institution in
the country will be represented. All told,
probably hundred expeditions of this kind
Will be sent to the path of totally well
equipped for some portion of the work.
THE eclipse will be great attraction
for amateurs-persons who own photo
graphic outfits or other scientific instru-
ments used in observing the phenomena of
the solar eclipse Letters have been re-
cetved& at the observatory which warrant
the representation that probably 1900 of
these unattached amateurs will be some
where along the path Of the eclipse The
government does not discourage these anna
teurs, but rather gives them every encour-
agement and courts contributions of pho
tographs and data from them to add to the
5c'SiiiiicI icSoIuS. II is remembered that
one of the finest sets of photographs of
the eclipse in India in 1896 was taken by an
amateur with homemade camera hut
one having an excellent lens. Amateurs
have been a help in the field in many in
stances. and they are always ready to vol
unteer their services. When Professor Cam
bell of the Lick observatory went to observe
the eclipse in India he took only his wife
for an assistant on the field he found all
the trained volunteers necessary to manip-
ulate the seven instruments he made
use Of.
skilled Observers.
1.-THE expeditions sent out by the naval
observatory will not be large ones. They
will consist probably of five or six observ-
ers, including photographers. But the men
sent will be the best procurab.e. The gov
eminent naturally has superior resources
| to draw on for making observations. 1t has
at its disposal the lenses and spectroscopes
gathered during the last twenty-five years.
and its appropriation of money is proba-
bly, larger than any of the Institutions could
afford to devote to the purpose Large In
struments are now being prepared for use
next May. A number Of special photo
graphic instruments, ranging from 4O-inch
telescope down, will be erected on the field.
Instruments will be selected in all cases be-
cause of special fitness"
The naval observatory will shortly have
ready for distribution little pamphlet con-
tanning a map of the path OF the eclipse on
a sufficient scale to show most of the towns
and cities, railroads and streams and the
elevation of points along the path of to-
tally together with the exact time of the
eclipse 1t will also contain suggestions for
amateurs, by following which they may be
able to contribute much that is valuable
from their observations. u
After the eclipse the observatory will pub
lish a complete report Of observations, with
reproductions Of photographs and drawings
Any sketches, photographs and observa-
tions Of contacts in any observation Of suf-
a 1.- $h@rn
ervation will gladly be- received by the sci
entists and included-in- this publication.