Imperial Valley press., 1923-08-02

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 1.-Two astro-
nomical parties, vanguard of
small army of world famous scien-
lists who will foregather at San
Diego to make scientific observa
tions of the solar eclipse September
10, have arrived here.
From Hampton Roads, aboard
the United States naval transport
Capella, came !. G. Hoxton, profes
sor of physics at the University of
Virginia, and Allen Mitchell, son
of Virginia. Prof. Mitchell arrived
i'll charge of the Leandcr McCor-
mick observatory of the University
of Virginia. Prof Mitchell arrived
by train Tuesday night.
Thirty men, part of the scientific
force to come to San Diego from
Mount Wilson observatory, arrived
at Fort Rosecrans yesterday morn
ing and Immediately began work of
laying concrete bases and columns
for the various instruments that
will be used in observing and pho
tographing the solar phenomena.
The Mount Wilson partv is headed
by DR.. Ferdinand Ellerman.
The University of Virginia scion
fists and astronomers will concen-
trate heir observations in obtain
ing data relating to the physical
qualities of the spectrum.
$4,000 Lines to Inch
I'VE have two spectroscopes and
two coelostates that will be mount
ed at Fort Rosecrans or on Point
Iona, said Prof. Hoxton. "'With
the use of the spectroscopc we
make use, of gratings averaging 49,
600 lines to the inch. Through these
instruments we get the flash of the
sun s spectrum and from this we
analyze the light from the lower
layer of the sun S atmosphere and
the physical and chemical charac-
teristics of those elements.
The coclostates are large mir
rors driven by clockwork which re-
fleet the sun S rays into the instru-
ment. The clockwork is so timed
that the mirrors follow the sun, en-
abling us to get an accurate cheek
on every phase of the eclipse.'
Cameras 40 feet long to be used
/ i'll photographing the corona and
huge telescopes are to be erected on
! Point Iona by other scientific cx-
/ peditions now enroute to San Diego
! from all parts of the world.
Public May Inspect
The various scientific instlrl-
ments, all of which will be mount
ed on concrete piers near the old
! Spanish lighthouse and on the Point
Iona ridge to the eastward, will be
thrown open to public inspection
a few days prior to the eclipse, ac.
cording to plans announced ycstcr,
day by Lieut.. Bernard Daley
commander of the seacoast defense,
of San Diego.
81 believe that San DieganS will
be intensely interested in viewing
the heavens through the instru
ments brought here by scientists
and to have these instruments and
their various uses explained by the
scientists,' said Lieut.. Daley
Because of this fact, | intend tC
request the astronomers to permit
the general public to view the tele
scopes, cameras, spectroscopes ant
other solar instruments after they
have been placed in position on the
crest of Point Loma.'
The exact date on which the pub
lie will be permitted to inspect The
equipment will be announced by
Lieut.. Daley late. The date,
probably will be from Sept. l to
inclusive.
War Department Aids
The government is offering every
aid to the astronomers in thci
quest for new knowledge regarding
the solar system. 1y courtesy o
the war department the visiting
| scientists and members of their ex
pcditions will be quartcred at For
! Rosecrans.
| Astronomers and scientists from