SOLAR ECLIPSE OBSERVED WELL AT CAMP IN BRAZIL

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1947, Page 6

SOLAR ECLIPSE OBSERVED WELL AT CAMP IN BRAZIL

RIO DE JANIERO, May 20. The day dawned with rain and overcast skies, marring the effect of the total eclipse in Rio de Janiero, but at the Bocayuva observation camp the clouds moved from the sun’s path at 9.20 a.m., 15 minutes before the period of totality, and observation conditions were excellent. Seventy United States scientists had set up 75 tony of equipment at Bocayuva, where it had been estimated that the -best observations could be made. Professor Kiess, of the United States, said: “The total eclipse observations at Bocayuva were 100 per cent, successful, pending, of course, on the development of the films”. A broadcaster said: “It is deep night here, oven the sun is black. The sky is midnight blue and there are brilliant, stars”. The eclipse began at 8.22 a.m. and became total at 9.34 a.m. local time. The temperature dropped several degrees during totality, as though a chill wind had suddenly but imperceptibly swept across the jungle camp. Dr. George van Blesbroeck, of Yerkes Observatory, said the conditions were.good for carrying out tests of the Einstein theory. Einstein’s hypothesis is that .the light of the stars close to the sun bends in passing through the sun’s magnetic field, causing the stars to appear to shift their position). Dr. Blesbroeck will return in six months’ time to take a second photograph when the stars are in the same position as to-day. Any difference in position would indicate that Einstein’s theory is correct. Specially equipped aeroplanes circled overhead at 30,000 feet, from which photographs were taken of the various phases. A special attempt was made to photograph the eclipse’s shadow racing across the earth’s surface as the totality period approached. All smoking was prohibited in the observation camp to prevent, possible light interference with the telescopic camera.