Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-01-01

the fact that Father Ricard con-
ours with the other observers VINO
foretell storms and cold in the next
two summers lead one to fear that
this disagreeable forecast may prove
correct.
The program 'of astronomical spec
tacles for 1926 is practically negli-
gible, partial eclipse of the sun,
visible in Douglas for a few hours
in the afternoon of July being the
sole phenomenon of magnitude dur
ing the year.
The smallest number of eclipses
that can occur in any one year is
two, in which event both must be
eclipses of the sun. Two of the
sun and none of the moon will take
place in 1926. The first, a total
eclipse of the sun, will be on Jan>
uary A. two weeks hence, and will
be visible only in parts of Africa
southern Asia, and Australia, the
center of the path of totality lying
almost directly across the middle Of
the Indian ocean.
The second eclipse, on July 8, is
what is called an annular eclipse,
the moon being so close to the
earth that it will not totally cover
the sun the surface of which will
extend as thin ring of light around
the outer edge of the moon, this
phase being of course only visible,
in the center of the eclipse path, To-
Gated in the north Pacific oceon, the
extreme eastern portion of Asia, the
northern district of Australia, and
most of Mexico and Central Amer
lea, but will be seen only as a par
tial eclipse in the northern parts of
the United States. In Douglas 20
per cent of the suns surface will be
obscured by the moon, the eclipse
beginning here about 1870 p. IN. and
ending at 615 p. m.
Turning to the planets, 1926 offers
no remarkable phenomena connected
with those bodies. Venus will at
tain it's greatest brilliancy tomorrow
night, January 2, it will then rap
idly decline in brightness and APP
proach closer to the sun, being lost
to sight in the 1atter's rays the
first week in February. In March
nSi .
and will again gain in rOrilEance till
March IA when it's spiendor will
again decrease till in November it
agan passes the sun, this time on
the farther side from the earth, it
being now on the same side of the
sun as we are.
Mars, at present a morning star
of considerable brilliance, is again
the earth, and will
draw nearer throughout the year
until next winter when it will be
comparatively close to us, though not
quite so near as two years ago. This
year, however, it's declination south
will not be so great as on the oc-
casion of it's last visit, SO it will
appear about as bright as it then
did owing to the greater altitude, in
fact astronomers hope for more sat
isfactory observations this year as
there will be less atmospherical dis
turbance to detract from the visi-
bility
Jupiter is now rapidly approaching,
the sun with which it will be in
on January rs and con-
sequently will not be seen for few
weeks, it will then be visible as a
morning star, and will be favorably
placed for observation from July till
the close of the year.
Saturn is now a morning star but
will be best seen in the evening sky
alter May 1. It's rings are now at
their widest and form a wonderful
sight in tae telescope. They will
ha0iD TO GROW narrower after thie.
year and for the next seven years
will decrease in breadth, disappear
ing altogether for few months at
the end of that period, and then be-
ginning another 15-year cycle of in
crease and decrease.
Mercury during 1926 will make it's
customary eight rapid appearances,
being visible for a few evenings or,
on each occasion accord
ing as it is east or west of the sun.
Uranus and Neptune, the two outer
guards of the solar system, are
visible only in a telescope, though a
keen eye may occasionally detect
Uranus if it's position is definitely
known.
From many standpoints the year
1926 may be regarded as an "off
year" for the astronomer, although
great things are hoped for as the
result of the numberous expeditions
which will go forth to study the two
solar eclipses in different locations
,lona the paths of totality. For the
amateur the year will be practically
/ L:ank and he must content HIM
self with the promise of moro va,