Total Solar Eclipse Of August Research Articles

Magnetic and Allied Observations During the Total Solar Eclipse of August 30, 1905

In addition to the stations as already announced in the previous issues, information was received from General Rykatschew that a magnetic expedition would be sent to Assuan, Egypt, under the auspices of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and under the direction of M. Dubinsky. The stations finally decided upon by the Department Terrestrial Magnetism in order to provide for the proper distribution and successful study of the subject under investigation were as follows:

Magnetic and allied observations during the total solar eclipse of August 30, 1905

In addition to the stations as already announced in the previous issues, information was received from General Rykatschew that a magnetic expedition would be sent to Assuan, Egypt, under the auspices of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences and under the direction of M. Dubinsky.The stations finally decided upon by the Department Terrestrial Magnetism in order to provide for the proper distribution and successful study of the subject under investigation were as follows:

The Total Solar Eclipse of August 29-30, 1905

The Total Solar Eclipse of August 29-30, 1905

Tortosa Observatorio del Ebro

Preliminary inforlnation regarding this Observatory has already been given in Note 20, Vol. VIII, p. 189. The following additional information has been courteously supplied by Father Cirera, under the date of October 19, 1904. Father Cirera has promised his cordial co‐operation in the proposed magnetic and electric observations during the total solar eclipse of August 29, 30, 1905. He says:“We are completing the installation of our magnetic pavilions which will soon be ready for work. They are two in number. The first contains in a subterranean structure of two rooms two complete sets of Mascart's instruments for the measurement of the variations of the Earth's magnetism. One of these sets will be provided with a photographic registration apparatus, and the other with telescopes for direct observations. For self‐registration the acetylene light will be used, and the trace is made on a cylinder unwinding in an hour two centimetres of sensitized paper. The second pavilion is to be used for absolute measurements. For the observations of magnetic declination and of the horizontal intensity a unifilar magnetometer of the Kew pattern will be used, and for the measurement of the inclination, an earth‐inductor of the Potsdam pattern will be employed. The photographic view represents the general view of our Observatory; the two buildings in the upper right‐hand corner marked 6 and 7, represent, respectively, the variation and the absolute magnetic pavilions.”

Proposed magnetic and electric observations during the total solar eclipse of August 30, 1905

Preliminary information regarding the parties, which propose making magnetic and electric observations is herewith given.Preliminary Information regarding Stations.CANADA. Photographic registration of the magnetic declination and of the horizontal intensity will be made in the belt of totality by a Canadian expedition under the direction of Professor R. F. Stupart, Director of the Meteorological Service, at North‐West River, Labrador (latitude 53°30′, longitude 60°03′), where there will likewise be located a Canadian astronomical party, under the direction of the Chief Astronomer, Dr. W. F. King. Atmospheric electricity observations may also be attempted.

The Approaching total Solar Eclipse of August 30

THERE are many special features about the total solar eclipse of August of the present year. In the first place, perhaps the chief of these is that it will occur about the time when the solar atmosphere is greatly disturbed, or in other words, at a time when the number of sun-spots is about a maximum. Second, the localities from which it may be observed are well distributed over land surfaces, and some are easily accessible from the British Isles. Thirdly, observers will have to wait many years before another favourable eclipse occurs. That in 1907 will be visible in Central Asia, but its occurrence in January will deter many from seeing it. The two eclipses in 1908 will be visible only from the Pacific and South Atlantic. The eclipse of 1909 will occur in June in Greenland, while that in 1910 will be visible only from the Antarctic regions. In 1911 only a short portion of the end of the eclipse track will pass through a part of South Australia. It is therefore the eclipse of 1912, that will take place in April in Spain, which will be the next easily accessible one to observe; but as totality will only last 60 seconds, its duration will be brief compared with that of this year, which will last for more than 3½ minutes.

Appeal for Cooperation in Magnetic and Allied Observations During the Total Solar Eclipse of August 29-30, 1905

Appeal for Cooperation in Magnetic and Allied Observations During the Total Solar Eclipse of August 29-30, 1905

Appeal for Cooperation in Magnetic and Allied Observations During the Total Solar Eclipse of August 29-30, 1905

Appeal for Cooperation in Magnetic and Allied Observations During the Total Solar Eclipse of August 29-30, 1905

Appeal for Cooperation in Magnetic and Allied Observations during the Total Solar Eclipse of August 29–30, 1905

THOSE who are in a position to take part in the above cooperative work are earnestly requested to make the necessary preparations and to put themselves in communication with the undersigned.

Appeal for co‐operation in magnetic and allied observations during the total solar eclipse of August 29–30, 1905

Those who are in position to take part in above co‐operative work are earnestly requested to make the necessary preparations and to put themselves in communication with the undersigned.As this will be the best opportunity for some time to come to further test and observe the magnetic and electric phenomena which have been found to occur in connection with total solar eclipses, and as these phenomena are destined to play an important rôle in the theory of the variations of the Earth's magnetism and electricity, ascribed to outside forces, it is very much hoped that all countries through which or near which the belt of totality passes will organize and send in the field observing parties.

The total solar eclipse of August 9, 1896. Report on the expedition to Kiö Island

The observing party consisted of Mr. Fowler, Dr. W . J. Lockyer, and myself, and the selection of Kiö Island as an observing station was rendered possible by the g ran t of the'services of H. M.S. “Volage.” Although the expedition failed in its main objects, because of unfavourable weather, it is considered desirable to put on record an account of the arrangements which had been made to secure observations, more especially as a new feature was introduced in the training of a large number of officers and men to take p art in the observations. Profiting by the experience gained in previous eclipses, prismatic cameras of the highest available powers were taken out, as well as a powerful integrating spectroscope. To supplement the work of these photographic instruments, a number of prisms and small slit spectroscopes were provided for use by such assistants as were available. The voluntary services of 74 officers and men of H. M. S. “Volage” made it possible to extend the original program me so as to include records of all the attendant phenomena.

I. The total solar eclipse of August 9, 1896.- Report on the expedition to Kiö Island

Although this expedition failed in its main objects, because of unfavourable weather I think it desirable to place on record an account of the arrangements which had been made to secure observations, more especially as a new feature was introduced in the training of a large number of observers. The weather chances in Japan and elsewhere, from accounts which I had received, were not very promising, and it was determined, therefore, to occupy a station in Lapland, where the chances were certainly better. One of the most convenient places of observation was Vadso, but as another section of the expedition had selected this station, it seemed desirable to observe from some other point, so as to multiply the chances of obtaining results. I accordingly made representations to this effect to the Admiralty, and H.M.S. “Volage” was placed at my disposal, with instructions to select a station on the south side of the Varanger Fjord. The final choice of a place for observation was to depend upon examinations of suitable sites near the central line of eclipse, which as a result of local inquiries seemed to show the greatest probability of a fine morning on August 9th. The Norwegian Government readily granted permission to land, and instructed the authorities at Vadsö to render assistance. The party consisted of Mr. Fowler, Dr. W. J. S. Lockyer, and myself. Being a delegate to the International Conference on Bibliography, I could not leave London before July 22nd. Mr. Fowler and Dr. Lockyer, therefore, went on in advance, and joined H.M.S. “Volage” at Hammerfest on July 22nd.

Papers read to the Society, June 17, 1897

I. “An Experimental Research upon Cerebro-cortical Afferent and Efferent Tracts.” By David Ferrier, M.D., F. R. S., Professor of Neuropathology, and William Aldren Turner, M.D.., F.R.C.P., Demonstrator of Neuropathology, King’s College, London. II. “On the Relative Behaviour of the H and K Lines of the Spectrum of Calcium.” By William Huggins, D.C.L., LL.D., F. R. S., and Mrs. Huggins. III. “ Further Observations of Enhanced Lines.” By J. Norman Lockyer, C.B., F. R. S. IV. “The Total Solar Eclipse of August 9, 1896. Report on the Expedition to Kiö Island.” By J. Norman Lockyer, C.B., F. R. S. V. “On the Classification of Stars of the δ Cephei Class.” By J. Norman Lockyer, C.B., F. R. S. VI. “On the Appearance of the Cleveite and other New Gas Lines in the Hottest Stars.” By J. Norman Lockyer, C.B., F. R. S. VII. “On the Action exerted by certain Metals and other Substances on a Photographic Plate.” By W. J. Russell, Ph.D., F. R. S., Lecturer on Chemistry at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. VIII. “Stress and other Effects produced in Resin and in a Viscid Compound of Resin and Oil by Electrification.” By J. W . Swan, F. R. S. IX. On Lunar and Solar Periodicities of Earthquakes.” By Arthur Schuster, F. R. S. X. “Cathode Rays and some analogous Rays.” By Silvanus P. Thompson, D.Sc., F. R. S. XI. “Micro-physical Structure of pure Gold and Micro-segregation in Gold Alloys.” By Thomas Andrews, F. R. S. XII. “A Maya Calendar Inscription, interpreted by Goodman’s Tables.” By Alfred P. Maudslay. Communicated by F. Ducane Godman, F. R. S. XIII. “Studies in the Morphology of Spore-producing Members Part III. Marattiaceæ.” By F. O. Bower, Sc.D., F. R. S., Regius Professor of Botany in the University of Glasgow. XIV. “The Vector Properties of Alternating Currents and other Periodic Quantities.” By W. E. Sumpner, D.Sc. Communicated by O. Henrici, F. R. S. XV. “On the Theory of the Magneto-Optic Phenomena of Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt.” By J. G. Leathem, B.A., Fellow of St. John’s College, Cambridge. Communicated by Sir Robert S. Ball, F. R. S. XVI. “Some Observations on the Chemistry of the Contents of the Alimentary Tract under various conditions ; and on the Influence of the Bacteria present in them.” By A. Lockhart Gillespie, M.D., F.R.C.P.(Ed), F. R. S. E - Communicated by Professor J. G. McK endrick, F. R. S. XVII. “On a Discontinuous Variation occurring in Biscutella lævigata." By Miss E. R. Saunders, Lecturer at Newnham College, Cambridge. Communicated by W. Bateson, F. R. S. XVIII. “Magnetic Properties of Iron at High Temperatures.” By J. Hopkinson, D.Sc., F. R. S. XIX. “On the Change of Absorption produced by Fluorescence.” By John Burke, B.A.(Dub.), Berkeley Fellow of the Owens College, Manchester. Communicated by Professor Arthur Schuster, F. R. S. XX. “Influence of Acids and Alkalis upon the Electrotonic Currents of Medullated Nerve.” By Augustus W. Waller, M.D., F. R. S. XXI. “On the Distribution of Frequency (Variation and Correlation) of the Barometric Height at diverse Stations.” By Karl Pearson, M.A., F. R. S., University College, London, and Miss Alice Lee, Bedford College. XXII. “On the Openings in the Wall of the Body-cavity of Vertebrates.” By E. J. Bles. Communicated by Dr. Hans Gadow, F. R. S. XXIII. “Electrification of Air, of Vapour of Water, and of other Gases.” By Lord Kelvin, G.C.V.O., F. R. S., Magnus Maclean, D.Se., F.R.S.E., and Alexander Galt, B„Sc., F.R.S.E. XXIV. “Note on recent Investigations on the Mechanical Equivalent of Heat.” By E. H. Griffiths, M.A., F. R. S.

Our Astronomical Column

THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OF AUGUST 9, 1896.—M. Deslandres, who was commissioned by the Bureau des Longitudes to proceed to Japan and make observations of the total solar eclipse visible there on August 9 last year, gives in La Nature for December 26 a short account of the expedition in general and a brief description of the results obtained. The station decided upon was the small port known as Yesashi, on the northern side of the island of Yézo, where the Japanese party under Prof. Terao and the American expedition were eventually located. During their stay of six weeks there were only eight fine days, so that the previous meteorological reports, which indicated the bad climatic conditions of the island at this season, were entirely corroborated. As we all know, the sky was cloudy during the time of totality, but the French party was more fortunate than the Norwegian observers, for their clouds were evidently not so dense as those which obscured the sun at Vadsö and Kiö. M. Deslandres, who was directing the observers under him, saw at a glance that it was useless to proceed in the programme previously arranged for under fine weather conditions. He therefore gave instructions that in the different instruments a single sensitive plate should be exposed for the entire duration of totality. Of the plates exposed, six showed the corona “plus ou moins fort,” while on the remainder nothing was seen after development. The negatives indicated dim extensions in the north-west, north-east, and south-west directions, but practically only the general distribution of the coronal light was shown. The images of Venus and Jupiter were also found recorded on two of the negatives. The eclipse of 1896, as M. Deslandres says, confirms the following law, indicated already to a certain extent in previous eclipses, namely, that the periodical variations of the spots which are followed by the prominences extend to the corona, and therefore also to the entire solar atmosphere.

The Total Solar Eclipse of August 9, 1896, as observed in a Cloudless Sky at Bodö

As Bodo was considered as offering conditions not favourable for serious work, this pretty town, so easily accessible for the greater number of European astronomers, was left unprovided with any astronomical instrument. And yet that town was, during the eclipse, favoured by a cloudless sky, which could have given magnificent results. I had the good fortune to observe there the wonderful phenomenon, and to make (what was chiefly my purpose) a sketch of the general outline and the rays of the corona. I do not think that among the thousands of Norwegians who witnessed that grand spectacle there were more than twenty foreigners, almost all English and American ladies and gentlemen.

The Lick Observatory Expedition to Observe the Total Solar Eclipse of August, 1896, in Japan

The Lick Observatory Expedition to Observe the Total Solar Eclipse of August, 1896, in Japan

The Total Solar Eclipse of August 8, 18961

The Total Solar Eclipse of August 8, 18961

X. Report of the observations of the total solar eclipse of august 29, 1886, made at the Island of Carriacou

The astronomers appointed by the Committee of the Royal Society to proceed to the West Indies to observe the total eclipse of the Sun on the morning of August 29, sailed together from Southampton in the R. M. S. “Nile,” Captain Gillies, on July 29, and, after a fair passage, anchored at Barbados at daybreak on August 11. A committee meeting on board had partly fixed our plans with regard to the stations of observation, so that, when we found two of H. M.’s gunboats awaiting our arrival in the roadstead, the instruments of Mr. Maunder and of the Rev. S. J. Perry were, after consultation with the commanders of H.M/s vessels, at once transferred to the “Bullfrog,” whilst the remainder of the instruments found a ready berth on the deck of H. M. S. “Fantôme,” which, being the larger of the two unboats, was reserved for the observers destined for Grenada and its immediate vicinity. Both the war-vessels started the same morning for Grenada, Mr. Lockyer and Dr. Thorpe sailing on board the “Fantome,” in order to secure the earliest possible interview with the Governor of the Windward Islands. The rest of the astronomers left the same evening in the R. M. S. “Eden,” Captain Mackenzie, and, after touching at St. Vincent, arrived at Grenada early on the afternoon of the 12th. The private luggage of Mr. Maunder and of the Rev. S. J. Perry was immediately placed on board H. M. S.“Bullfrog,” where they received the heartiest welcome from Captain Masterman, R. N., who devoted the best part of his own cabin to Father Perry, and found a comfortable private cabin for Mr. Maunder. Captain Archer, R. N., had also arrived at Grenada in command of H. M. S. “Fantome”; and the “Sparrowhawk,” a surveying vessel, commanded by Captain Oldham, R. N., was anchored in the harbour of St. George, her officers having been placed by the Hydrographer of the Admiralty at the disposal of the expedition. Previous to our arrival Governor Sendall, most ably assisted by Captain Melling, had personally inspected most of the best sites for the astronomical observations, collected all existing records of the weather, and designed huts for the protection of the instruments. Carriacou and Green Island were told off for the northern station, to be occupied by Father Perry and Mr. Maunder, assisted by the officers and men of H. M. S. “Bullfrog” and by Sub-Lieutenant Helby, of H. M. S. “Sparrowhawk.” It was thought, however, more advisable not to separate the members of this party by a distance of some twenty miles, and, therefore, the more northerly island of Carriacou was fixed upon as the site best suited for both observers.

IX. On the total solar eclipse of August 29, 1886

An expedition for observing the Eclipse of the Sun of August, 1886, was organised and sent out by the Royal Society, the necessary funds being obtained partly by a special vote from the Treasury, partly from the annual grant to the Royal Society, and partly from the Society’s private funds. A Committee appointed by the Council of the Royal Society discussed the principal questions to which observers were to direct their attention, and distributed the available instruments amongst them. It was also decided that, as far as the scientific part of the work was concerned, the observers should be independent of each other, and report separately to the Society; but that they should elect one of their members as chief, to represent them in all dealings with the authorities in the West Indies. Mr. Norman Lockyer was accordingly chosen to be this representative. The present report only deals with the photographic results obtained by its authors. Mr. Norman Lockyer was the only other observer who took out photographic instruments; most unfortunately, the weather proved so bad at the station he selected that he was unable to see anything of the eclipse.

V. On the total solar eclipse of August 29, 1886

A preliminary communication will be found at vol. 42, p. 180. The full report is divided into eleven parts, as follows:— I. Origin of the Expedition and General Preparations, by Captain Darwin, A. Schuster, and E. W . Maunder. II. Preparations for the Eclipse at Prickly Point, by Captain Darwin and A. Schuster.