LOOKING UPWARD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 296, 14 December 1936, Page 8

LOOKING UPWARD.

INTEREST IN CITY.

AUCKLAND OBSERVATION

GOOD VIEWS OBTAINED,

Smoked glass iincl photographic negatives were in much demand to-day, when thousands of Auckhuiders viewed the eclipse under conditions that were ideal up to the mid-point of the phenomenon, but then cumulus cloud began to drift across the sky, and there were stages when one could gaze upwards at the sun without any strain on the eyes. On the high flat-topped roof of the "Auckland Star" building the eclipse was watched through all its phases by -Mr. A. C. Hanlon, a member of the observing section of the Auckland Astronomical Society, who was assisted by Mr. W. H. M. Blaekwell, another member of the section as timekeeper. An astronomical reflecting telescope was specially mounted, and the images of sun and moon were thrown on a screen. The equipment included a chronometer and a radio set for receiving time signals ■ from Wellington. The conditions at first contact at 9.14 were perfect, a. clear sky, were cumulus clouds low down ever the nor'-west horizon, and even then it was realised that they might lift higher into the sky later on. Gradually the shadow began to i.icrease on the sun's rim'and at various stages the eclipse was photographed by a "Star" staff photographer with a long focus camera with a six-inch mirror. Constant observation was made as the shadow grew and by 10.40 it was. beginning to feel like a fairly cool day, and the planet Venus—the brightest star in the heavens—was beginning to twinkle in ,tl'e eastern sky. Narrowing Crescent. Most of £he interest of the many observers in the city quickened at .10.(50$ a.m., when the annular phase began, and the narrowing solar crescent" was turned into a ring as the moon passed completely on to the solar disc, the ring at this stage being broad in the direction corresponding to 4 o'clock and very narrow in the 10 o'clock direction. It was at the annular phase that the clouds began to drift across the sky, and that added to the general gloom. Generally the outlook was like Auckland on an exceedingly dull day, and the harbour, which had been sparkling, had almost a moonlight effect. For nearly seven minutes it was quite a gloomy Auckland, and then the ring of iight round the lunar disc began ,to break into a crescent, the sun began to shine with steadily increasing brightness as the shadow" of the moon gradually passed away. One noticeable feature of the eclipse was the drop in temperature,, the official reading showing that the maximum in the shade this morning was 07.5 degrees, and the minimum 02 degrees. Mr. Hanlon said that conditions were ideal for observation up to 10.54, when the sun was clouded over. It was then fehat close watch was being kept for Bailey's Beads, but nothing in the city, was seen of them. These are little beads of light which lie along where the limb of the moon and the sun come together at the second and third contact. It is a well-known phenomenon, which can only be seen at annular or total eclipses. Watch was also kept for the brightest stars appearing, but in the cloudy conditions Venus was the only one visible. From an observation point of view, there is a lot of luck about viewing an eclipse. The conditions at the annular phase might be viewed perfectly in one locality, yet in another locality, comparatively a few miles away, a passing cloud might interfere considerably with scientific observation. It was fortunate for Auckland observers that the eclipse came on a holiday, for there was a general absence of smoke from shipping and factories. The wind through the moraine: was from the nor'-west, and it gradually brought up passing banks of clouds. At vantage points throughout the city Auckland people gathered to watch the eclipse, and small telescopes and opera o-lasses' were in general demand. Just before the annular phase the sun, with the moon nearly obscuring it, swam in a clear patch of sky, and there was at least one fleeting opportunity of seeing a rare phenomenon under excellent conditions. One consequence of the eclipse was the stopping of play in the trial c«cket match at Eden Park this morning. The lio-ht became so poor that play was stopped for 20 minutes. A dense cloud mass added to the natural effects of the eclipse, throwing Eden Park under a shadow and light on the pitch was comparable to that usual shortly before I stumps on an overcast evening. | Players just sat around, for tfce.moon.~to-■sail"" by/'