The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-29
As SEEN]IN WASHINGTON
IT IT
Morning Clouds Interfere With a
Clear View of the Eclipse.
Conditions Grow More Favorable ns
the Point of Greatest ObscuratiOn
Is Rcnched-Smoked Glass and
ODcrn Glasses In Evidence Every
whcrc-An Interesting Feature.

The solar eclipse OF 1900 occurred yester-
| day as predicted, arriving on schedule
| time and accompanied by weather condi-
tions in the Capital that left much to be
desired, but which were fairly favorable
for observation. The accuracy of astrono-
mical computations has not been initiated
by the Weather Bureau. where proverbi-
ally performance falls far short of prom
Use. The weather predicted for the
hour OF the phenomena in the local fore
cast indicated the purpose of the weather
makers to cooperate with the moon and
sun for perfect demonstration of Won
derful spectacle. These arrangements.
however. for while before the hour at
which the eclipse was predestined to COM
mence. seemed doomed to failure. Light
clouds began to gather. a mist settled
over the city, and the moisture in the at
mosphere gave every indication of rain.
These conditions we're gradually dissi-
pated. and by the time that the shadow
of the moon had disappeared the skies
were fairly clear, and during the obscura-
tion for most OF the period only thin
veil of semi-transparent mist interfered
with the observation.
Sunrise. at 4:3O o'clock, was accom-
panied by cloudless skies, giving promise
OF perfect day. But as the sun ascended
the heavens banks Of clouds sailed UP from
beneath the horizon, and a slight mist
soon enveloped the earth. AS the morning
advanced indications OF rain became more
pronounced. The clouds in the east grew
in number and wore more threatening
aspect, while the mist deepened into
heavy fog. AT o'clock the prospect for
observing the spectacle of the suns
eclipse were most discouraging. The OBJ
scuration of the sun had been accom-
plished without the interposition of the
moon, and heavy clouds shut out the orb
Of day. This condition continued until
the shifting wind. veering around to the
southwest. broke rifts in the clouds. At
O'Clock the sun was again visible.
At the moment Of the first contact. 7:A
O'Clock. when the edge Of the moon ap-
peared for the first time to touch the disc
Of the sun. no view of the spectacle could
be had. because of the interposing clouds.
When the sun was again visible thin
line Of black could be discerned on the
edge Of the solar disc. Almost impercep-
moons outlines crept across the flaming
globe. At $3.50 about half Of the surface
Of the sun was still visible in a crescent
such as the moon shows in its first and
last quarter. A thin crescent of light was
alone visible at the moment Of the great
est observation, 1856. Slowly the eclipse
had increased until almost all the burn
ing orb was obscured, and became nearly |
a conplete circle of inky blackness
Tho chainW foil IDnu fhn p9Tth vS the
mocn travelled across the face CT the sun
growing gradually deeper as the light was |
cut Off. The sharp shadows outlined by |
the sunlight. momentarily became less dis |
tinct and the, surrounding light dimmed |
with each minute. A weird twilight de- |
scended upon the earth, slowly deepening.
and was most intense at the moment when |
the least of the suns face was to be seen.
Slowly the face of the sun came from
behind the moon, her crescent of light |
growing greater and greater until the last
contact occurred. and the two astronomical
bodies resumed their normal functions OF
producing and rejecting light. Gradually
the shadows lifted until the sunlight
poured down upon the earth with custom
ary splendor, enhanced by the preceding
and unusual darkness.
All Washington able to be out of doors
was up early and on the streets in season
to view the spectacle. Smoked glass,
opera glasses, field lenses, small and large
hand telescopes were everywhere in evi-
dence. Amateur photographers were pre-
pared to take snap shots Of the phenomena
at frequent intervals. and entertained
the hopes that some fortunate discovery
might result from their efforts. as had
happened before from amateur pho
Biography in astronomical fields.
Az interesting feature OF the eclipse was
the observations for electrical variations.
which some scientists have contended
would be produced by the moons shadow.
At the Postal Telegraph Cable Company's
office a volt metre was put into circuit by
Chief Operator Slater between Washing
ton and Baltimore and between Washing
ton and Richmond. Mr.. Slater considers
however that whatever variations IN the
circuit were experienced were due to or
binary causes. George W. Rebble. Man.
ager of the Postal Telegraph Gable Com
pany, stated that the office was not equip
ped for scientific tests of this delicate ma
ture, and the ordinary tests with the volt
metre Indicated conditions which were ap-
normal.
A series of tests. conducted over Pc
riod OF many months. enabling the Office to
make an accurate estimate OF normal cen
ditions Mr.. Rebble explained, would be
preceding the eclipse, before a
proper comparison with the cond tions dur
ing the eclipse could be made. Owing 10
he difference in pctentialities between tn {,
various cities, current Of electricity Is
continually flowing from one place to the
other to establish an electrical equ!lib-
,ium. which would account for such varia-
ions as we're observed this morning. and
which are Of daily occurrence.
At the Office of the Chesapeake and Po-
omac Telephone Company. the vice presi-
lent and general manager. Arthur G. Full
er. stated that while no special tests di-
'ected toward the discovery OF electrical
had been made the instruments
employed in the usual operations OF the
telephone system were delicate and
trustworthy in character that any unusual
disturbance would be noted. He stated
hat no variations other than what were ,
apparently of usual demonstration had