The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-05-28
HIDES HIS FACE.
The Sun Retires From View For
a Short Time.
Total Eclipse Extends Across
Southern States.
HAS BEEN IL YEARS
Since a Similar Event Was Wit
messed.
Great Improvements in ObserVa-
tiOn Facilities.
Weather Was Everything That
Could Be Desired.
PHOTOGRAPHS MADE
And Successful Observations by
Many Scientists.
Thousands Interested Outside
Line of TOtality.


the sun today visible throughout North
America. Europe and Africa, but total
only in some parts of Louisiana, Ala
bama. Georgia, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Virginia, in the United
States was an event of first importance,
not only to astronomers. but the world
at large. It was unprecedented in more
than one respect. It's path Of totality'
instead Of extending through sparsely
settled regions or running over scant
expanses Of water, crossed six states in
q populous portion of the country, all
of the region being easily accessible by
rail and water. 1t has been eleven years
since a similar event was witnessed but
the advancement of astronomical sci
ence and the marvellous improvements
in telescopes, photographs and electrl-
cal appliances insured more complete
observations than ever before known.
The United States government anO all
great educational institutions made
elaborate and costly preparations to get
the best possible observations and mill
lions Of dollars were expended in this
way
While great interest attached to the
eclipse itself the object of the astronO-
mers composing the Eclipse expedi-
tions," from all parts of the country
was not alone to observe the passing of
of the corona. This particular branch
of the many phenomena generally at
tending an eclipse has always been an
unsolvable problem. 1t is the belief of
many astronomers that the corona IS
product of the sun and has nothing to
do with the earth or moon as formerly
suspected. Two spectra, one of bright
lines and the other continuous have
been revealed at former eclipses. Hy-
drogen gas has been indicated and
rare element called helium recently de-
tected in the volcanic rocks on the earth
has been seen. OF whatever substance
the corona may be composed and what
ever may be the true nature of its phys
1cal and chemical constitution, it is Ger
tain that it is of extreme tenuity. So
rare is it that comets in their swift
flight around the sun have been known
TO pass through it without sensible re-
sistance. Surrounding the sun is
gaseous substance termed by aStrOnO-
mers the "chrOmosphere." 1t is believ-
ed to be from five to ten miles deep.
ErOJectlng through this ChrOmOSpnero
are observed with total eclipses the
shoots, or limbs which rise often to a
height of l000 600 miles with amazing
raplditY- 10 the accurate observation
OF TINS paramount feature Of the eclipse
every appliance Of the instrument max
ers art combined with the astronomers
knowledge was directed in the hope of
reaching a solution Of this "philOsoph-
ers stone Generally speaking the oh
serVations taken by the astronomers to-
day were confined to three separate
lines of work-the old method of tele-
sc0plc observations; viewing of TIE
eclipse with the naked eve and
the photographing of the phenomena of
the eclipse The path of totality tedav
began in the Pacific ocean Just west of
Mexico. 1t passed eastward across
Mexico, and entering the limited states
near New Orleans proceeded in north
easterly direction until it leaves the
continent close to Norfolk Va Then it
crosses the Atlantic, touches Portugal
and afterwards passes across northern
Africa, leaving the earth finally near the
northern end of the Red sea In this
country the cities of New Orleans. Mo
bile, Montgomery, Raleigh and Nor
tolk We're IN the total1ty path. Besides
these. cities the path of darkness includ-
ed 30 other towns which are large
enough to have their names on the man
rev If any observatory parties were 10
taIed at the large cities for the reason
that they lacked the altitude and an
unrestricted view for any distance was
uuI 10 pe found The higher attitudes
gave reasonable assurance also M
Etea[er atmosphere and at this season
DA lHe year less clouds are genera N Z
found. especially in Alabanoa Cao,.1,is . ;
ana North Carolina. While tbe eclf5 e.
was visible all over the countT,1 If -
only within path of about 55 miles ir
width extending from New OrIeans -
Norfolk that the observation vas [1,,,
plete. 1t viii be readily seen thar a ar
ference Of five miles in this belt NAL,
difference of one-fifth in the matter ~
time in which the observation NAV n,
witnessed and a position near the cen
lral line of totality increased in geon,e
trical proportion to the stupendou
grandeur of the phenomenon.
The United States government an
propriated literally for today's srea
work and observation parties We're ts
lablished at three places in the sout1
and at Tripoli. in Africa. by the nava
observatory. Prof Simeon J. Brown
United States astronomical director i
IN charge of the naval parties in tn
south, which number about so person.
Prof. Browns headquarters are a
GAINESVILLE, Ga. The preliminary worI
such as selecting a site, erecting tent
and installing the instruments was /
charge of Prof Milton Updegraff.
carload of costly and delicate apparattI
was placed in position the multitude
nous details were completed and the as
hstants drilled to perfection a few dav
ago. Three large buildings were erect
ed on a prominence at an altitude G
LOCO feet. large scaffold was put II
Ina tent pitched. In one of the larg
buildings is the polar axis upon whic