The Washington times., 1922-09-10
BIZ ISABEL NJ. LEWIS


most important astronomical event
is scheduled to take place--a total
eclipse of the sun visible for few brief
moments within a narrow strip of the
earth's surface one hundred and thirty
miles wide stretching across the Indian
Ocean and Australia.
To observe this eclipse and test theories
of great Importance to science, astrono-
mers from England, Holland, Germany,
Canada, the United States, India, Java,
Australia and New Zealand have congre-
gated on lonely islands or difiicultly acces-
sible points in Australia with elaborate
telescope and Photographic outfits that in
some cases have been transported half
way around the world for this purpose
months in advance.
When British astronomers made the
sensational announcement three years
ago that the results of observations of
the total solar eclipse of May, 1919, con-
firmed the predictions of the Einstein
theory of relativity, the attention of the
entire scientific world was riveted upon
a strange and revolutionizing theory that
up to that time had received scant atten-
ton. Much discussion was aroused at the
time and the Importance of further test
of the theory at future total eclipses Of
the sun was Immediately recognized.
The next eclipse available for this pur-
pose would be the total eclipse of Sep
tember 81, 1922, and astronomer began
to consider the possibilities o. observing
this eclipse. The accessibility of points
along the path of totality for observers
and their instrumental and Photographic
equipment, as we'll as the chance Of meet
ing with favorable weather conditions at
the various points, had to be taken into
consideration and efforts were innnie-
diately made to obtain information on
these points from various sources.
1t was found that the path of totality
passed chiefly over unavailable stretches
of the Indian Ocean and desert wastes
of Australia, touching but few favorable
points. In the Indian Ocean there were
but two available points, the Maldive Isl
ands, a group of coral islands one .nou-
sand miles south of Bombay, and Christ
mas Island, about two hundred miles
south of the western extremity of Java.
This attractively namLG island has risen
to great height from the ocean bed IN
geologically recent times and is about
uine miles in length and in width, with
limestone cliffs and coral reefs rising pre-
cipitously from the shore to great heights.
So deep is the water Immediately off
shore that anchorage is impossible and
ships tie up directly to the pier, and when
a heavy wind is blowing on shore, land
ing is impossible. Christmas Island is
roted for its phosphate deposits, which
were discovered BY Sir John Murray on
the famous Challenger expedition in
1S72-1S76, and these are now being
worked.
As result of this industry the island
is inhabited by about score Of Euro.
peans and over thousand Malays and
Chinese.
A regularity of the island Is the pres.
ence of enormous numbers Of huge land
crabs, many of which are fully two feet
in diameter. According to reports, some
of these enormous fellows at one time
made off with two chronometers Of an ex-
ploring party, and II was believed that
they might do mischief to the instrument
tai equipment of the eclipse expeditions,
6ut members Of the British expedition
who have now been located there for
some months report that they are shy and
rapidly scurry out Of the way at anyone's
approach.
Since the eclipse occurs at Christmas
Island close to high noon, with duration
of three minutes and forty-two seconds,
and since remarkably fine weather condi-
tions have been found to prevail there In
the later part Of September, 1t was con-
sidered to be an exceptionally favorable
location. Not only the British but COM
bined Dutch and German expedition have
availed themselves Of the opportunities
that the island affords. The members of
the British expedition have been on the
island since the latter part Of March,
though the landing Of instruments was
impossible for ten days after they reached
the island owing to the fact that the
sea was extremely rough and high wind
was blowing on shore. 'a..
They report that the Malays. are watch
ing their preparations to observe the
eclipse with keen interest. though not
altogether with approval, for they be.
lieve that the sun is going to sicken at
the time of eclipse and that II will be