Evening star., 1937-05-30
ECLIPSE TO LAST
OVER I MINUTES
Expedition on Canton Island
to Be Busy Recording
Scientific Wonders.

Washington will scarcely notice the
total eclipse Of the sun on Tuesday
June 8, Capt. Andrew S. Hickey, U
s. Navy, acting superintendent sot
the Naval Observatory here, declared
yesterday, but the Navy-National
Geographic Society expedition on
lonely Canton Island in the Pacific
Ocean will be working overtime to
record the scientific wonders.
1.-The total phase will have a maxi
mum duration of seven minutes four
seconds. the longest of any eclipse for
over 1000 years." Capt. Hickey said
Capt. j. Frederick Hellweg, U. S.
NJ, retired, superintendent of the
Naval Observatory, is with the ex-
pediiton in charge of naval participa-
ton and is supervising transportation
OF the material from Honolulu to
Canton Island, the building of con-
crete foundations there, the erec-
ton of tents and subsistence of the
party and the safe return Ia Honolulu
Practically all the equipment used
on the expedition is the property of
the Naval Observatory. Astronomer
j. E. Willis of the observatory is a
member of the party.
Peru Sun Too LOW"
The path OF the sclipse, although
$500 miles long with a maximum
width Of l53 miles, shuns land for
the most part, passing over only two
small islands, Enderbury and Can
ton Of the Phoenix group, Capt Hick-
ey explained, before the coast of Peru
is reached. There the sun will be
rather low for observations of value. >
AS a partial eclipse, it will be visi-
BILE in the Samoan and Hawaiian
Islands
The Naval Observatory's interest
In connection with eclipses is mostly
in obtaining the times of contact OF
the moons limb with that of the
sum-" declared Capt. Hickey. These
data are collected chiehy for use in
the Nautical Almanac Office, where
they are utilized at long intervals to
obtain corrections to the elements OF
the moons orbit, by means of which
its position in the heavens is pre-
dicted. With this purpose in view, the
Navy Department joined with the
National Geographic Society in send
ing the expedition to Canton Island
At this location the eclipse will occur
shortly after sunrise and will be tota,
about three and one-half minutes.
"On account of the difficulties that
might be encountered in transporting
telescopes and other delicate instru.
ments so far, and in landing them
safely on an island with uncertain
harbors, the Navy Department placed
Capt. HellWeg, the present superin-
tendent OF the Naval Observatory. In
charge Of the naval participation"
Four Other Expeditions.
Capt Hickey said that in addition
10 the U. S. Navy National Geographic
Expedition, there will be at least foul
others. He is informed that c. B
Niche of Kaitaia, New Zealand. heads
party OF astronomers from tina,
country that will observe the eclipse
from Canton Island. Part Of that
groups equipment has been sent tc
Niche from Japan and the Royal
Irish Academy.
Other expeditions will go to Peru
Capt. Hickey says. The Hayden
Planetarium-Gr Grace Peruvian Eclipse
Expedition Of New York and another
in charge of Prof. Charles H. Smiley
director Of Ladd Observatory Of Brown
University, in party of four, will
base in Peru. A japanese expedition,
under the direction Of Prof. I. Yama-
moto Of Kwasan Observatory, Kyoto,
Is reported headed for Northern Peru,
to make geodetic, as we'll as astro-
nomical obServa tions.
Prof. Godofrich Garcia. dean of the
faculty Of the University of San
Marcos Of Peru, is president Of COM
mittee to help visiting scientific expe-
ditions regarding transport, meteor
ology, health conditions and camp in
stallation, Capt. Hickey said.