El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-12-01
SOUTH

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but the surface shows changes in its
markings such as no terrestrial planet
would have Furthermore, the entire
surface does not revolve at the same
rate. the equatorial regions moving
faster than the planets polar lati-
tudes II must. then, be still at a
high temperature and, fortunately or
unfortunately. We will not for some
time be troubled by the perplexing
question Of possible inhabitants
Total Solar Eclipse for America.
The new year brings with IL the
promise OF an event which viii IN
questiouably produce the liveliest stir
in all astronomic circles. both ana
teur and professional Tt IS 70 De
hoped also that the momentary flicker
OF curiosity produced IN the lay mind
by the wonderful phenomenon Of
total solar eclipse right in our own
home country Will result in a great
spread Of knowledge and interest
about matters which go on over our
heads and below our feet each day
and night. We wonder often II there
viii not be even today some minds so
untouched by the spread Of ctviliza-
ton as TO fear superstitiously the ap-
parent destruction of our sun which
even the most ignorant tnStinct1vely
feels 20 be essential for the mainten-
ance OF life on the earth To the
ancients the phenomenon was direct
act OF punishment or warning threat
on the part OF their gods It always
PLAYED an important part IN their re-
lfgfous life and. when the priest
astronomers had learned something
OF the scientific side Of eclipse mech
anism and were able TO predict the
phenomenon. was much used BY them
to impress the ignorant populace ana
increase their own prestige and
power.
we all remember the story OF ~
explorer who fell into the hands Of
savages and was threatened with the
usual unpleasant consequences For
tunatelv his almanac .oid him that an
eclipse Of the sun was due in few
days and he Immediately warned the
chiefs that n they harmed him his
protecting deity would take their dear
sun away from them and leave them
in utter darkness; whereupon they
decided 70 postpone their little cere-
monv 70 see II the victim would make
good. OF course, IL happened Just as
predicted. much TO the explorers ad-
vantage. The reader will see from
this story that there undoubtedly is
some practical use in astronomy.
Difference IN Eelipses.
There exists a very unfortunate dit
ference between eclipses OF the moon
and eclipses OF the sun. A total
eclipse OF the former is visible over
a whole hemisphere OF the earth, and
is therefore probably familiar 70
everyone. A total solar eclipse how
ever. is visible only along very naI-
row strip about so miles wide, though
perhaps several thousand miles long
The reason for this difference oe-
tween two phenomena which seem
analogous goes back 10 the very ele-
mentsry fact that while the sun Is
the source Of its own light the moon
is not. but shines only by reflected
sunlight Therefore. when the earth
moves into a position in space direct
" between the sun and moon. II shuts
off all light from the moon, which
then becomes really dark so that the
inhabitants Of an entire hemisphere
OF the earth which Is turned away
from the sun and toward the moon
al that particular instant will see the
eclipse Of the moon
The case OF the solar eclipse Is Just
like putting your hand between your
ewes and a bright light You shield
only your eyes. and outside OF the
shadow Of the hand the light falls as
before. o. course. you can change the
extent OF the shadow by moving your
hand toward or away from the source
Of light. In the former case the
moon acts the part OF the hand, and
the width of the strip where the
eclipse is visible as a total depends
upon the relative distances of sun
moon and earth from one another, [
Sometimes the SHADOW or the moon
does not even reach the earth and we
have what is called an annular
eclipse. Tn this case the sun appears
as a brilliant ring (Latin -annulus,
whence the name) surrounding black I
disk. which is the earthWard side Of
the moon. To return to our analogy. I
it is like holding half-dollsr close [
ND to an electric bulb
Across United states
The narrow strip of visibility FOR Z
this total eclipse Of June S, 1918, ex-
tends disEonally across the United 4
in
west corner 10 Florida IN the ex-
IRENE southeast. one must betake I
himself 20 a point on this strip in
order TO see the marvels of a total '
eclipse. though on both sides Of 10 Z
there is a broad area where the I
eclipse will be visible as a partial .
The partial phenomenon. which we 4
probably have all seen. is by compari- B
son 20 the total as an sQuiauX hut I
is 20 the temple OF King solomon.
The atmospheric conditions are {
naturally OF the very highest import
ance GO the observers. as a cloudy sky 3
" ould spoil everything. For this rea-
son IL is best 20 go 20 that place where I
the records Of the weather bureau 4
show The best chance for a clear sky
at this time Of the year AstronOmi-
cally the best places Of observation
are those where the middle Of the to-
tality ~ the eclipse is near noon
Therefore. the most 1avorabl place
eclipse. both for astronomic and me
teorolOcic reasons is at the north
westerly end Of the line But those
who cannot make the trip to the Pa
clfic coast should take a chance on
the weather at the nearest point or
town which lies In the path Of to-
-alitv.
A detailed map showing the path OF
the eclipse will be published shortly
for the benefit Of the Evening Sky
Nap readers. If you miss this one
you will have six more like It some