Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-05-17
THE SUMS TOTAL ECLIPSE
1t Will Offer an Unusual
Opportunity for Science.
THE RESULTS EXPECTED.
V.-.-le In the United states-the
Track Of TotaIity-SkiIied observ-
srs Will Be on Hand-Loeating
Stations.


srs viii Be on Hand-Loeatina
Stations.
In one respect the suns total
eclipse Of May 2S next will be without
precedent. Its path instead of extend
Ing over the sparsely settled regions
that intervene between Iowa and the
western coast, as in 1878, or stretch
Ing over the watery expanses Of the
Pacific, as in 1888, when the United
States had to send an expedition to
the Caroline Islands, 1000 miles west
Of South America, or let the eclipse
go unobserved, will cross the six
states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Ala
bama, Georgia, South Carolina and
North Carolina, touch Virginia and
traverse a very fairly settled portion
OF the republic, which is covered with
a perfect network Of rail. The track
of totality begins on the Pacific ocean
just west Of Mexico at sunrise, trends
due eastward over Mexico, enters the
United States very near New Orleans,
La, and extends northeastward over
Mobile and Montgomery, Ala, passes
close to Atlanta, Ca, and Columbia
s. c., over Raleigh, N. c., and leaves
this country in the region of Norfolk,
Va, and Cape Henry. Besides the
cities named 1t includes thirty other
towns that are large enough to find
place on the smaller maps. After leav.
ing the United States the path of the
eclipse crosses the Atlantic ocean and
touches Europe at Coimbra, Portugal,
takes in Algiers nd northern Africa
and terminates near the northern end
Of the Red sea at suset. The eclipse
will last about 1 minute and IL sec.
onds near New Orleans, and minute
and 40 seconds near Norfolk.
The accessibility Of the path of the
eclipse will render the coming event
Of incalculable value to science. Prep
arations are being made by nearly all
the scientific institutions in the coun.
try to place their best instruments and
most scientific observers in the field.
The United States Government will
spend thousands of dollars establish.
ing observation stations along the
Phth VI tuc CCilpoc. Ab OuCle OdIn
chief star gazer, Professor Brown, will
have charge Of the governments prin.
cipal observations. He is making
preparations for the work with
knowledge born of long experience
and natural genius in all matters
appertaining to his science. He has
been connected with the observatory
for nineteen years. He is a graduate
Of the Naval Academy at Annapolis
and holds the rank Of commander in
the navy.
Greater results are probable from
the observations this year." says Pro-
fessor Brown. than from any taken
heretofore. During the half decade
since the last total eclipse there have
been great strides in improvements
In the apparatus employed in the
work. Photography has been wonder.
fully developed and the improvements
in photography alone may effect re.
markable discoveries during this
years eclipse. Moreover, the ease
with which the eclipse region may be
visited will increase the number Of
scientific observers enormously.
THE government is already prepar.
Ing to occupy several stations along
the path Of totality. The necessary ap.