OBSERVING ECLIPSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 226, 23 September 1922, Page 7

OBSERVING ECLIPSE.

GREAT RESULTS ANTICIPATED. TESTING EINSTEIN'S THEORY. (By Cable. —Press Association. —Copyright) SYDNEY, September 22. According to the Sydney Observatory, the first contact of the eclipse came ten seconds earlier than the computed lime. The Stanhope (Queensland) party reported that it was between three and four seconds later than the. computed time, and the Wallal (Western Australia) party reports that the duration of totality was about four seconds shorter than predicted. The Goondwindi station (Queensland) reports that the eclipse was up to the computed time. These discrepancies are expected to bo corrected when details have been worked out and necessary comparisons made. Scientists expect that with the new appliances and modern scientific methods employed the results of the observations will be far in advance of anything previously obtained. Particular attention was given to what are known as shadow bands, the display of which was exceptionally clear. An exhaustive series of photographs was obtained, which, it is considered, should go a long way to elucidate thia branch of solar eclipse work. At Wallal about 100 photographs ot various features bearing on the Einstein theory were taken. The temperature there"during totality fell from 97 to 88J degrees. Natives around the scientists' camps showed considerable fear, and hid themselves in the bush until the eun returned.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) OBSERVERS' RECORDS. (Received 11.30 a.m.) BRISBANE, this day. Various sections of the observing parties at Stanthorpe are comparing data. Mr Gale, leader of the party, stated that he observed at least twenty brilliant crescents scattered along the background of the spectrum, and recognised hydrogen, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and helium by the characteristic bright lines. Father Pigot, of the Riverview Observatory, says he used a new instrument procured from Washington for solar radiation observation, a pyramometer, and got full results, measurements of the j solar sky, loss of heat, and incoming radiation.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.) JAPANESE CREW EXCITED. (Received 1 p.m.) BRISBANE, this day. The chief officer of a steamer which has just arrived said that the passengers obtained a fine sight of the eclipse of the sun. The Japanese crew became greatly excited and concerned at their sun going dead..— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)