XVIII. The Bakerian lecture.—On the total solar eclipse of July 18th, 1860, observed at Rivabellosa, near Miranda de Ebro, in Spain

Abstract

My attention was first called to the Solar Eclipse of 1860, in the latter part of the year 1858, on the occasion of my visiting Russia, when Dr. Medler placed in my hands a copy of his anticipative pamphlet, entitled “L’ Eclipse Solaire du 18 Juillet, 1860.” This paper contained a Map of Spain, with certain lines indicating the position of the central path of the moon’s shadow, the limits of totality, and its epoch at various localities; and it occurred to me, on perusing it, that, if circumstances should permit of my observing the eclipse, Santander would be very convenient for the disembarcation and erection of the instruments I should, in all probability, require for photographic observations, to the prosecution of which my successful researches in astronomical photography led me to think I ought to devote myself. On communicating my plans to Mr. Vignoles, he strongly recommended me to cross to the southern side of the Pyrenees in order to avoid the mists which are caused by the condensation of vapours from the ocean against the northern slopes of the mountains. Subsequently Mr. Vionoles published an eclipse-map of Spain on a very large scale, and I selected Miranda for my station; but he suggested that I should place my observatory at Rivabellosa, about two miles from that town. It is fortunate that I changed my station from Santander to Rivabellosa, as many of those astronomers who selected the former place were prevented by the state of the atmosphere from observing the eclipse.