WELLINGTON CITY OBSERVATORY.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 3, 3 July 1931, Page 4

WELLINGTON CITY OBSERVATORY.

There was a very large attendance of visitors at the Wellington City Obsevvatroy last Saturday evening, when the iilm showing tho partial eclipse of the sun labt October, as seen at Wellington, was exhibited owing to the courtesy of Kodak, Ltd. The film first,-showed tho apparatus used in observing-tbo eclipse, and then the actual eclipse. was seen, showing the moon gliding over .the sun'a surface in a few minutes. At various times clouds could be seen crossing tho interesting spectacle, which added to the realism and interest. Finally, the group of observers was shown. At the. conclusion of the h'hn lantern slides 'Of the eclipse as seen in the region of totality at the island of Niua-fo-ou were shown. These were photographs taken .by-the New Zealand Eclipse Expedition.: A-great amount of detail in the corona ■; was clearly seen on the slides. Visitors thqn'enjoyed some fine view,s pf the moon, Saturn, star clusters, and double stars ..through the telescope. Probably the most fascinating object was the moon with its' numberless craters, mountain ranges, and'plains. The volcanic and meteoric theories of tbp formation of the hinar craters were explained. While waiting their' turn.,at .the telescope ■'. visitors were also' shown "a- photographic negative of the Jewel Casket, taken--with'the'9-inch telescope the week- previously. The recent comet which has been announced has not,yet'been picked up^ at Wellington' owing to ;.the brilliant moonlight, but this should be possible within the next week or so.. . The observatory'will"-bo. again,-open'to the public, if the-'weather .permits,'..tomorow'night at 7.30 o'clock iif'Kelbiirn. It is. accessible .by- means ofJthe'.Kelbui'n (jable car. A.small charge is made for -admission. '. ■' ' • ■ ' ■ . . ■