Evening star., 1932-09-01
BY PROF. PHILIP FOX.
Director, Adler Planetarium, Chicago.

Director. Adler Planetariun, Chicaso.
Special Dispatch to The Star. -Dt4i-
ISLAND POINT, VT, September
(N.AN.A).-Scientific observation of
the total eclipse of the sun at the
cost of considerable expense and ef-
fort by astronomers gathered from
many parts Of the world was a success
in spite of a widespread cloud canopy
during a great part of the moons
passage across the face of the sun.
The orderlineSs and precision Of the
movement Of heavenly bodies has
again been demonstrated, this time per-
haps to a greater number of keenly
interested laymen than ever before.
One of the expected results of the
observation was the probable discovery
of the need of slight correction of
the lunar theory.
Predictions as to the moons motions
are the most difficult in the field of
theoretical astronomy. The moon is
subject to strong perturbing action by
the sun and planets. Some perturba-
tions of the moon were found in the
time of Hipparchus, about $50 B. G. Ad-
ditional lunar variations were found by
others of the ancients In figuring
eclipses.
Need Slight Corrections.
In modern times Hansen, Newcomb.
Delaunay and G. w. Hill have turned
their mathematical genius to this prob
lem E. w. Brown of Yale prepared
the tables at present used in various
ephemerides. With discrepancies in the
time Of actual contacts from those pre-
n diRtn aNliy ir1If
Gates need of slight corrections In the
tables.
1t Is known that there are slight un-
explained discrepancies and careful OBJ
servations are needed to effect their
elimination as in the case of the latest
eclipse, when the second contact was
10 seconds late with respect to advance
calculations.
1t is gratifying to the observers that
the cloud canopy thinned out so that we
could see the disappearing sun crescent
Also the neighboring planet, Jupiter,
was observed by Prof. Bartky of the
faculty Of the University of Chicago.
An amateur astronomer, Walter john
son, who formerly aided me as volun-
teer observer at the Dearborn Observa-
tory Of Northwestern University, made
observations of the corona while on
Lie way TO 1SldnQ roma, and while
| about II miles from that point he re-
ports the corona flared out at each
side OF the sun in total eclipse with
fan-shaped Streamers and was pearly
white. He also observed Jupiter, but
saw no stars.
Assistant Director Marcele Bennett
OF the Adler Planetarium, Chicago; Prof
Henry Crew, chief of the division of
basic sciences of the Century of Prog
ress Exposition, and George Horton,
who flew from Chicago to our camp,
arriving shortly after noon, upon my
recommendation, returned to the land
| ing field at Derby again to ascend
I hope they obtained favorable view
| of the spectacle. 1t was impressive
| from the ground seen even through
the clouds. 1t must have been magnifl-
cent above them.
The predicted time of contact for the
| Island Pond station was 8 hours as
minutes seconds, afternoon, Eastern
standard time. It was actually observed
at 8 hours 26 minutes 10 seconds-10
seconds late.
The end was predicted at 3 hours 27
/ minutes 47 seconds. 1t was observed
at 8 hours 27 minutes so seconds.
The predicted duration of 80 seconds
for totality was therefore observed as
% seconds.