Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-05-02

since an eclipse has occurred under cir
cumstances so favorable to American as
tronomers, it will undoubtedly be wit
messed by thousands OF students who
have felt regret that previous exhibitions
have occurred at distances 50 great as to
prevent them from witnessing the events.
An eclipse of the sun that win be Wis
ibe TO US can occur only when the moon
is new. At that time she passes exactly
between US and the sun. If an eclipse
should happen when she was at her least
distance from us, say 222, 600 miles away,
the apex of the shadow would pass over
our heads at a distance Of many thou
sands Of miles. In the first instance the
eclipse will be total along the path made
| by the falling shadow. In the second
instance the eclipse will be annalar, as
the moon will be 50 diminished that at no
time will she be able to completely oh
scure the sun.
Prof Langley, who is an authority
upon sun eclipses, is enthusiastic in anti
cipation Of the exhibition that is TO be
given next May. Such eclipses, he
SAYS, ARE im~~essive and awful 10 the
last degree and must be seen to be ap-
preciated a total eclipse Of the sun is
| worth a journey round the world TO be-
hold, and repetition does not duh the in
| terest"
According to the calculations of Prof.
Lumsden. the round black shadow Of the
| moon, like a great arm, will sweep in out
| Of space some time after sunrise on the
| morning of May rs. This gigantic arm
will come into contact with the earth
somewhere near the Reyilla Gigedo ISL
/ a.
dous velocity the shadow will rush to-
| ward the mainland and will enter Mexico,
| near Corrientes, at a speed Of more than
| 100 niles a minute. In eight minutes 1t
will have crossed The Rocky mountains,
and by : 30 central or $50 eastern time
| it viii have crossed the gulf aud entered
| Mexico. Then on IL viii pass, over its
selected path, until it is lost again in
space
In order to witness this phenomenon 10
best advantage one should be in the cen
ter Of the ground over which the shadow
is to fall. The best position Is upon the
| highest possible eniuence, as under those
| conditions one is able 10 appreciate the
| trr meudous impression caused by the
rushing upon Us Of snch a stupendous
shadow
The period Of totally Of the eclipse va
rics at different points along the track
AT the Rocky mountains the spectacle
will last but about thirty seconds, and
| at New Orleans the period will have been
heightened thirtyseyen seconds. AT Tn
ion Point. Green County, Georgia, the
center of the path for the United States,
the time OF totally will be ninety-t~o
seconds. while those who are at the At
Iantic coast, just south Of the city Of
Norfolk. will be able 10 continue their
observations for l05 secJ.ids
While the occasion will be most in
teresting one TO ali who are able to wit
ness the phenomenon to astronomers the
event will be Of the utmost Importance.
aS there are several questions that thev
.aic to be able 10 answer after the,
ave made their next observations On
III the most imporan, problems relates
10 the composition aud arrangement Of
the various layers Of vabor and dust that
envelope the sun Is With M atmosphere.
Another relates 10 the existence and posi-
ton OF what is sometimes called the re
versiug lgyer"