The Van Buren press., 1900-06-02

electrical appliances insured more
complete observations than ever be-
fore known.
Elaborate Preparations.
The United States government and
all great educational institutions
made elaborate and costly prepare
tions to get the best possible observa-
tions. and millions of dollars were eX-
pended in this way. While great in
terest attached to the eclipse itself,
the object of the astronomers com
posing the "Eclipse expeditions from
al parts Of the country was not alone
TO observe the passing of the moon be-
for the sun, but the study of the
corona.
An Unsoived Problem.
This particular branch of the many
phenomena generally attending an
eclipse, has always been an unsolv-
able problem. 1t is the belief Of many
astronomers that the corona is a prod
uct of the sun, and has nothing to do
with the earth or moon as formerly
suspected The spectra, one of bright
lines, and the other continuous, have
been revealed at former eclipses, Hy-
drogen gas has been indicated, and u
rare element called helium, recently
detected in the volcanic rocks on the
earth, has been seen.
The Mystery of the Corona.
OF whatever substance the corona
may be composed, and whatever may
be the true nature of its physical and
chemical construction, II is certain 1t
Is Of extreme tenuity. So rare is 1t
that comets, in theii swift fight
around the sun, have been known to
pass through it without sensible re-
sistance. Surrounding the sun is n
gaseous substance termed by astrono-
mers the "Chromosphere." II is be-
lieved TO be from five TO ten thou
sand miles deep.
4 Paramount Feature.
Projecting through this chromos-
phere are Observed with total
eclpses, the shoots, or limbs, which
rise often to height Of 100000 miles
with amazing rUpidity. To the nc-
curate observation of this paramount
feature Of the eclipse, every appliance
OF the instrument makers art, com.
bned with the astronomers knowl-
edge was directed in the hope of
reaching solution Of this philoso-
piers stone, Generally speaking, the
observations taken by the nstrono-
mers were confined 10 three separate
lines OF work--the old method Of tele-
scopic observations; viewing Of the
eclipse with the naked eye, and the
photographing Of the phenomena OF
the eclipse.
The Path of Totally.
The path of totality began in the
Pacific ocean, just west Of Mexico. II
passed eastward across Mexico, and
entering the United States near New
Orleans, proceeded in northwestcrly
direction untll IL left the continent
'AbNN W ANpii'lNs hss ln'b " NlVSNNN
the Atlantic, touched Portugal, and
uiterward passed across northern Az
ricU, ledving the earth finol near the
northern end OF the Red sea, In this
country the cities OF New Orleans,
Mobile, Montgomery, Raleigh and
Norfolk were In the totally path,
Besides these cities the path of dark.
ness included 30 other towns which
are large enough TO have their names
on the map.
Higher Attitudes sought.
Few, II any, observatory parties
were located at the large cities, for
the reason that they lacked the alti-
tude, and 0n unobstructed view for
any distance was not TO be found.
The higher attitudes gave reasonable
assurance also Of clearer utmosphere,
and ut tAas season Of the year less
clouds are generally found, especially