Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1900-05-31
II MARKS AM EPOCH IN
SCIENCE OF ASTRONOMY
Eclipse Gives Scientists an unpar-
aIIeIed Opportunity to Study
Sun Problems.
May SOLVE MYSTERY OF CORONA
Phenomenon Tint Has Heretofore
Proved Unso,vablc May lie Made
Clear by Present Observations
-.-Work of Various Parties.

Atlanta, Ca, Mny es.-Tlle eclipse
OF the sun today was visible through
out North America, Europe and AZ
rita, but total only in some parts of
Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia. North
Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia,
in the United States. 1t was AN event
of the first Importance, not only to
astronomists, but to the world at
large. 1t WINS unprecedented in more
than one respect. Its path of totalitN,
instead of extending through sparsciy
settled regions, or running over ii
vast eNpailse of water, crossed six
states in popnlous portion of the
country, region easily accessible by
rail and water. II is eleven years
since similar event was witnessed.
but the advancement of astronomical
science and the marvellous improve
ment in telescopes, Photographic and
electrical appliances insured more
complete observations than ever be-
fore known. The United States gov
ernmeht and all the great educational
institutions made elaborate and cost
~ preparations to get the best posi-
bic observations, and millions of dol
lars were expended in this way.
Problem OF the Corona.
While great interest attached to the
eclipse itself the object of astrono-
mers composing eclipse expeditions
from all parts of the country was not
alone to observe the passing of the
moon before the sun, but the study of
the corona. This particular branch of
the many phenomena generally at
tending an eclipse has always been an
unsolvable problem. The belief of
many astronomers is that the corons
is Il product of the sun and has moth
ing to do with the earth or moon, as
formerly suspected. Two spectra, one
OF bright lines and the other continue
Gus, have been revealed at former
eclipses. Hydrogen gas has been in
Dictated, and rare element called he'll
ium recently detected in volcanic
rocks on the earth has been seen. Of
whatever substances the corona may
be composed and whatever may be
true OF the nature of its physical and
chemical constitution, it is certain it
is of extreme tenuity. So rare is it
that comets i'm their swift flight
around the sun have been known to
pass through it without sensible re-
sistance. Surrounding the sun is q
gaseous substance termed "chromo-
sphere" believed to be from 5000 to
10000 miles deep. Projecting through
this chromosphere are observed, with
total eclipscs. shoots or limbs which
often rise to a height of 100000 miles
observe this paramount feature of an
eclipse every appliance of instru-
lnents, combined with astronomical
knowledge, was directed in the hope
of reaching a solution of this 'philoso-
piers stone" Generally speaking, the
observations taken by the astrono-
mers today were confined to three
separate lines of work, the old method
of telescope observations, viewing the
eclipse with the naked eye and photo
graphing the phenomena of the
eclipse.
Path of Totally.
The path of totality today began
in the Pacific ocean just west of Mex
leo. 1t passed eastward across Mex
leo, and, entering the United States
near New Orleans, proceeded in a
northeasterly direction until it left
the continent close to Norfolk, Va.
Then it crossed the Atlantic, touched
Portugal and afterward passed across,
leaving Portugal and passing across
northern Africa, leaving the earth
finally near the northern end of the
Red sea. In this country the cities of
New Orleans, Mobile, Montgomery,
Raleigh and Norfolk were i'm the to-
tality path. Besides these cities the
path of darkness included thirty other
towns large enough to have their
names on the map. Few if any OBJ
servatory parties were located at large
cities for the reason that they lacked
altitude and an unobstructed view for
any distance was not to be found. A
higher altitude gave reasonable as
surance also of clearer atmosphere
and at this season less clouds arc gen
orally found, especially in Alabama,
Georgia and North Carolina While
the eclipse was visible all over the
country, it was only in a path of
about fifteen miles in width extending
from New Orleans to Norfolk that the
observation was complete.
Preparations for observations.
The United States government APP
propriated literally for today's great
work and observation parties were es-
tablished at three places in the south
and at Tripoli in Africa by the naval
observatory. Professor Simon j.
Brown, United States astronomical di-
rector, is in charge of the naval par
ties in the south, which number about
sixty persons. Professor Browns
headquarters are at GAINESVILLE, Ga
The preliminary work, such as select
ing sites, erecting tents and installing
instruments, was in charge of Profess
sor Milton Updegratf. A car load OF
costly and delicate apparatus was
placed in position, multitudinous dc.
tails completed and assistants drilled
to perfection few days ago. Three
large buildings were erected on a
prominence at an altitude of 1,00(
feet. A large scatfold was put up and
tents pitched. In one of the larg,
buildings is polar axis, upon which
were mounted various cameras and
/, Photographic telescopes. The tele
scopes were revolvcd slowly by means
of a clepsydra or water clock. Two
equatorial telescopes for visual obser
walton of the corona were also placed
in position in this building. Upon 8
scaffold large photo-heliograph with
6-inch lenses and 40 feet focal length