Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-24
to study the little known gas

w men the sun is loIdtlS eClliSGl lnerS
appears n bright, flaming envelope OF
burning gases called the chromosphere,
which is usually masked by the much
greater brightness of the body OF the
sun. This chromosphere has been an
object of great interest to astronomers
siucc it was first shown by the tele-
scope. and its appearance has been OBJ
served, drawn. and photographed at
every opportunity. This can be done
only during an eclipse. 1t has also been
observed by the means of the spectro-
scope, and Il number OF lines have been
found Which did not correspond to those
given by any substance known upon the
earth, although some of them are found
in the Spectra of other stars. The most
prominent of these lines is bright yell
low line recurring very close to the yell
low lines due to sodium. This line is
known as D3, and was ascribed to the
unknown element in question, which,
from its existence in the sun. was called
helium. The spectrum of the new gas
was carefully compared with that of
argon, and Crookes determined by exact
measurement that the bright yellow line
was identical With the line D3. Then
Lockyer who had discovered the D3 line
in 1865, and named the substance pro-
ducing 1t helium. prepared some of the
gas from minerals, and concluded from
his observations that the nature of the
gases obtained was not simple. and
that the gases composing the mix
lures are by no means the only ones
we may hope to obtain" There seemed
reason to expect the discovery of other
gases of similar nature.
COMING TO NORFOLK.
People will come to Norfolk from
all directions on the 26th and eth in
slant to be here to view the eclipse
Among them will be n number of scien-
tinc observers from the DEPARTMENT., at
Washington. These will view the
eclipse and take photographs and OBJ
servations of it from the roof OF the
Citizens Bank building.
For the accommodation of persons
desiring to view the total cclpse of the
sun OH May 2Sth, the Pennsylvania rail-
road will run II special excursion from
Philadelphia to Norfolk and return
leaving Broad Street Station by special
train of coaches and sleeping cars at
$50 y. m, May 27th, arriving Norfolk.
via Cane Charles route. before GOO a.
m, May 18th.
FROM CITIZENS BANK BUILDING.
In order 10 give the pupils of the
ruolc schools an opportunity to view
the eclipse az the sun, which begins at
1885 a. m. Monday, reachin1, totalitv Mt
senools Wal not open until 1880 u. NJ
| OF that day.
Miss Gillespie of the Scientific depart
men; az the High School viii lecture
one day this week before its students
on the approaching eclipse IN order that
they may he better prepared to appre-
ciate and understand 1t.
II is said that several scientists OF
Northern Universities will view the
eclipse from the roof OF the Citizens
Bank building. this city
United States Weather Observer.
James Gray is in receipt OF letters from
troi, d. c. Humphreys, of Washington
and Lee University, aud Justice Stain.
OF the Astronomical Observatory. Bal
t!more, saying they will rbe in Norfolk
10 make observations.
PRESIDENT MAY COME
It is reported that the President Will
come from Washington on the Dolphin.
Commander Switzerland was told to
nave Ills ship ready to start on Satur-
day morning for n short trip, and heard
oniy Il day or two ago that the chief
executive was to be his Passenger ana
q few guests. probably limited 10 a half
on@en' as the Accommodations OF the
ship will not provide for more
There is Il possibility OF the presiden-
tai party remaining on board the Dol
nhin to View the eclipse. and returning
the same day. or the next, to Washing
| ton.
IT is expected that Mr.. Mckinley will
be invited by Mayor Johnston and some
organizations to come ashore and oh
serve the phenomenon from Norfolk In
such case the spot selected would no
Doubt he the Citizens Bank building
IN The ton story Of which IS located the
United States Weather Bureau.
ihe Dolphin may sail IN the South
crn Brand Of the Elizabeth River to
point near the draw bridge thereby
getting rs near the North Carolina line
| as possible.
The report that the President would
stop at Old Point IS probably Incorrect.
as no quarters have been engaged
there, and that wonld no, be a very
advantegeous point of view rs the lire
separatlng the areas of totality and
partially passes through OLD Point
a large party from the National Geo
graphic Society will leave Washington
on the evening OF the 97th TO observe
The eclipse, also returning on the after
noon of the 2Sth, ] is not Improbable
that quite a number of officials Will
visit Old Point at the same time.