Our Astronomical Column

Abstract

THE ECLIPSE OF 1922 IN AUSTRALIA.—Further details concerning this eclipse have come to hand. Mr. W. E. Cooke, the Government Astronomer of New South Wales, has visited various points on the Queensland railway within the totality track, and sends a pamphlet containing his experiences. The inhabitants of the villages are willing to give all possible help to observers. The weather prospects are distinctly hopeful, though the altitude of the sun in this region will not be great (26° at most). The most easterly and most accessible station is Stanthorpe, on the Dividing Range, 2656 ft. high, a favourite summer resort, having several good hotels. Those undertaking observations of a delicate nature should go further inland, to Coongoola or Goondiwindi. As there is a branch of the British Astronomical Association in New South Wales, there is reason to hope that all these stations will be occupied. The west coast of Australia in the neighbourhood of Condon or Wallal is favourable as regards height of sun and probability of a clear sky. Mr. H. A. Hunt, the Commonwealth Meteorologist, notes that Wallal, which is a telegraph station, might be reached from Port Hedland, 150 miles to the west-south-west by pearling lugger; a steamer visits Port Hedland about once a month. Mr. Hunt considers the weather prospects much more hopeful here than in Christmas Island. Another possible locality is in Central Australia, near the telegraph station of Charlotte Waters, which is 110 miles from the head of the railway at Codnadatta.