ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18202, 22 September 1922, Page 6

ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.

OBSERVATION IN AUCKLAND. GREAT INTEREST SHOWN. GOOD ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS Conditions were almost perfect yesterday afternoon for Auckland observers of the solar eclipse, which was not total in New Zealand latitudes. The heavens were a canopy of azuro, presenting a rare field of cloudless vision. More than ordinary general interest was manifested. Thousands of citizens climbed to the innumerable vantage points in and about the city, while a large number of enthusiasts went to the highest eminences for a better vision. A minute or two before /sunset all the sentinels on Auckland's natural watch-towers regretted the wall of hills along the western horizon. • It was apparent that the majority of the citizens had been impressed with the warning aa to the risk of injury to unprotected eyes. The general rule was to observe the eclipse "as through a glass darkly." As the shadow of the moon widened across the sun the phenomenon could be sosn distinctly, without discomfort, by the naked eye. Observation by means of a fairly powerful astronomical telescope was a fascinating study even to the layman. The sexvice of a 6in. telescope was kindly placed at the disposal of a Herald representative by Mr. J. P. Artha, of VauxhaU. A minute before the astronomically scheduled time of first contact the sun was reflected by the instrument as a radiant disc, perfect in the beauty of its glow save for one small spot toward the west, a mere dot. Exactly at 4.52 p.m. a small indentation marked the perfect edge of the lower limb of the sun (though it appeared inverted through the telescope). Gradually, perceptibly, surely the black segment of the moon's shadow advanced, eating away the glowing disc, so to speak, until the former circle had become a thin, luminous crescent. In 18 minutes exactly the sun-spot had disappeared behind the advancing screen of shadow. All the while daylight was steadily diminishing, the light being wan and touched, as it seemed, with a kind of mystic sadness. In the telescopic reflector the beauty that rewards the patience of astronomers and inspires exhausting research was presented to the vision. This was a beauty that was denied to observers with smoked glass. It was a glory of lightens shade with edges of quivering colour. Much of that wonderful beauty was due to atmospheric influence and effect upon the lens of the |elescope, and was in no way part of the actual phenomenon. It was none the less beautiful for that. The maximum phase was reached precisely at 5.44 p.m., and a minute later the sun, with over 80 per cent, of its disc in shadow, dropped below the horizon. , THE TOTALITY EONE. FINE WEATHER REPORTED. PERFECT CONDITIONS IN SYDNEY. Australian and NX Cab!* Association. (Reed. 9.30 i>.ia.) SYBNETT.- Sept. 21. The eclipse was witnessed in Sydney in almost perfectly clear weather. A few n.inutes after four o'clock, when the greatest phase occurred, only 14 per cent, of the sun's disc was visible. The effect was as of the sun being obscured by heavy clouds. It became necessary to use lights in many business places, but the darkness quickly lifted. For* over an hour crowds thronged the parks and ■ . streets gazing at the "sky through various devices, vendors of which did a thriving trade. The roofs of city buildings were covered with people simi-; larly engaged. Late advices from-the totality zone and northern centres stated that there was every indication thafr*he eclipse would be viewed in cloudless windy weather. Great crowds were arriving by special trains from all parts of the State. .