The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-11-14
Figures Not Exact.

Figures Not Exact.
The average length OF the earth's
shadow Is $500 miles. so that If in
terpIanetary space we're slightly dusty
a long, black shadow should be seen
tapering OF from the earth 10 a point
some So, 90 miles distant Within this
pathway OF shadow, at 2 part where it
IL 800 miles wide, the Moon VIII be
seen passing, during the time Of eclipse,
the earth's shadow extending 5eyOnd II
some $500 miles
As interPlanetaTy space is not dusty,
the presence OF the earth's shadow from
its effect an the moon at the time Of
total eclipse can only be Inferred
Half an hour or 50 before the moon
reaches the shadow its eastern limb be
gins 10 be sensibIy darkened, and the
ed-e Of the shadow itself, when II IS
first reached, looks black by contrast
with the bright part OF the moon sur
face To the naked eye the outline OF
the shadow appears somewhat sharp
but seen VVIth-a small telescope, IL seems
hay and indefinite while with a larse
instrument OF high nlagIlIylng power II
IS entirely Neutrality-suspicious.
After the moon has wholly entered
the shadow its disk usually COWS with
q DULL COpper-cOlO-ed light Que TO sun
light bent around the carLh into the
shadow by the TefraCti1l or the aImOS-
phere OF the earth or rather BY that
part OF the earIEs atmosphere which
lies within ten Ur fifteen miles Of the
earth'S SUTfaCe-
To an observer on the moon the disk
OF the earth would appear TO be sur
rounded by a narrow ring Of brilliant
sunshine, CoIored with sunset hues of
the same vdp0rs which tinge terrestrial
sunsets. but acting with double power
because the light has traversed a double
thickness Of our atmosphere Thus. the
lunar spectator could see a Tu7dv glow
q every point On the edge Of our earth
globe, upon which at the time the sun
- rising OF setting
Ring Of Sunlight.
The ring OF sunlight at these regions
would appear brilliantly crimsoned- re-
sembIing the glow Of a mighty confa-
grafton seen from a vast dfstance-fn
this case nearly rs, 90 miles At other
parts The light would be tinged with
delicate hues Of red and yellow, the
whole effect tending to make the earth
apparently a dark sphere amid air, en-
circled with a glittering gold band set
with rubies.
During the early stages OF the eclipse
the display would be brightest upon the
side Of the disappearing sun Cas OBJ
served from the mOon- At the tine Of
central eclipse the light would be seen
evenly distributed around the edge Of
our planet, and during the final STAGE
II would be more evident on the side OF
the reappearing sun II the weather
happens to be clear in this part Of the
eaTuh upon its rim as seen from the
noon, the quantity OF light transmitted
through the atmosphere VIII be very
considerable
In this case. for Observers on the
earth, the moon VIII appear strongly
illuminated The various dark maTki~cs
on its surface win be seen outlined on
2 background Of cOppery hue even
when the moon s passing through the
densest part OF the shadow If on the
other hand, the weather happens to be
stormy at the regions on the earth
where the sun is rising or setting the
clouds VIII cut of nearly all the light
AS result the moon viii be absolutely /
Invisible 20 The naked eve, as IN the case
Of the lunar eclipse OF 1854. but this Is
a very unusual circumstance