ECLIPSE OF SUN

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 June 1936, Page 7

ECLIPSE OF SUN

SCIENTISTS’ JOY-DAY

RESULT MOSTLY SATISFACTORY

[BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

(Recd. June 20. 8 a.m.). LONDON, June 19

In a chain of stations from the Mediterranean to Japan, scientists and explorers. equipped with giant telescopes, aeroplanes, and latest scientific instruments, watched the total eclipse of the sun.

Reports from Russia describe the spectacle as magnificent, the clouds dispersing at the last minute. Professor Carroll, leader of the British Expedition at Omsk, reports excellent results. although transparent clouds obscured intermittently the eclipse, which lasted 136 seconds. As the daylight faded, grass and leaves, lost their colour under the thin sickle of the sun, then the last ray was extinguished. thick darkness and heavy shadows rushing over the earth, enveloping the scientists, who had eyes glued to telescopes and instruments. After tense minutes, the Jight "broke out from the edge of the sun shadow, gloom rapid,ly dispersed, and daylight returned. Professor Carroll, broadcasting, said: The conditions could hardly have been bettered. I hope the photographic plates will show all we expect. The Harvard University expedition at Akbulak had good ■ conditions. As the shadow crept over the sun, the sky was deep-blued and planets were visible close to the sun.

SUPERSTITION ENDED

(Recd. June 20, 11 a.m.) LONDON, June 19

Members of the Harvard eclipse expedition at Akbulak, state that the corona was very clear, being silver white in colour, and in shape like a five-pointed star. The corona appeared to be twice the diameter of the sun.

Some Soviet expeditions report interference by clouds, the estimated shadow, 82 miles wide, crossed the 4471 miles of Soviet territory in 133 minutes.

Forty expeditions from many nations were in the path, some using aeroplanes four miles up in clearer atmosphere, sending up balloons six miles.

At Istanbul, for the first time on record, there was no shooting by the superstitious populace at the eclipse. Previously, there was widespread belief that the eclipse was due to a dragon devouring the sun, and it was customary to slwot to frighten the monster. Although superstition had died, anxiety was still apparent among ihe lower classes fearing sinister portent. The eclipse lasted 113 minutes, with totality of 80 seconds. Early workers in London saw a parlial eclipse in perfect conditions. A quarter of the sun was obscured at Tokio, half a minute beforehand. Clouds marred the British expedition’s observation at Kamishari, North Hokkaido, the disappointment being shared by the Australian, Iridian and American parties located at this small village, where six weeks had been spent in mounting 12 tons of instruments. It is‘estimated that 160 other scientists elsewhere on the island had perfect observations, some using aeroplanes. The totality lasted 113 seconds. A. commentary from Hokkaido was broadcast throughout Japan. At Athens, thousands went to the country side to watch the eclipse in beautiful weather. British, Gh’eek, Polish and Italian scientists had splendid results. .