The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-01
By PROFESSOR BARTON

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 In January we naturally look for ward to see what Is to occur in the starry heavens during the 12 months to come. And this year we find the smallest possible number of eclipses. There are always two eclipses of the sun. There is also only one eclipse of the moon. These are the only eclipses we will have during 1922. This is not very unusual. It occurred In 1904, 1908, 1915, and will occur again in 1926, 1929 and 1893. At these times, excepting 1908, only two eclipses of the sun occurred or will occur. In 1915 the eclii,ses were both annular eclipses, which could be seen principally over water areas. This year the first eclipse is an annular enc, on March 27. It has no great scientific importance. A very small partial eclipse may be seen under very unfavorable conditions from a part of Florida. but cannot be seen at all from other parts of the United states. The second eclipse Is a total eclipse, occurring on September 20 rms can be seen principally from Australia and the nearby islands. The path in which the eclipse can be seen as total. about 100 miles wide, cuts directly across Australia, and most of the observing stations will be located there. It lasts as total eclipse for about five minutes. This is a long duration for an eclipse. Astronomers Will utilize it as means of further testing the Einstein theory and for other purposes. Expeditions will be sent from the United States, England Canada and Germany. Special lenses TOT the purpose are now being made at Pittsburg. No part of the eclipse can be seen here. We will see no eclipse in 1922
 The Planets
 Mercury is a morning star from February IA to April 24 and from
 June IS to August and from Octo-
 Der IS until December 6. At other times 1t is an evening star. It will
 be seen best In the early evening
 about May 23. Venus is a morning
 star until February 9. an evening
 star until November 25, then a morn
 ing star for the remainder of the
 year. It will be In best position in August. September and October.
 Mars will be a morning star for the remainder of tho year. It will be nearest to the earth on June 2S, at distance of 43,0o0. 900 miles. and will then be brighter than Sirius, the brightest fixed star, and as bright as Jupiter. but not as bright as Venus. This will be quite favor able year for seeing this planet, but not as favorable as the year 1924. When nearest to the earth the planet is always far south. and hence seen better from the Southern Hemisphere A story has. been circulated that a
 large telescope is to be constructed at place in the Southern Hemi- sphere, where Mars will be directly overhead, for the purpose of observ- ing 1t. This telescope is to be made by revolving large mass of mercury at the bottom of well. This is not new idea. It has been known for a very long time that a mass of fluid revolved uniformly about a vertical axis will assume the form of a para boloid of revolution, which is the form in which the mirror of a re- flecting telescope Is ground. Clean mercury Is very fine reflecting sur face. Hence. In theory the idea of such telescope is fine. In practice it Is different. The parabolic mirror of astronomical telescopes must be
 made with an accuracy of few mil
 lionths of an inch. No large body