SOLAR ECLIPSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22595, 7 December 1936, Page 12

SOLAR ECLIPSE

ACTIVE PREPARATIONS SPECIAL PARTIES' PLANS VARIETY OF OBSERVATIONS Probably 110 astronomical event in Now Zealand's history lias aroused such widespread interest among the Dominion's scientists as tho annular eclipse of the sun tvhich will occur next .Monday morning. This interest is shown mainly by the number of expeditions which have been organised to visit the oolipso track, and by the very complete and varied programmes of research which have been planned. Tho principal eclipse party, organised by Mr. C. B. Michie under the auspices of the New Zealand Astronomical Society, will be stationed at Pukekohe, where the duration of the annular phase will be seven minutes 115 seconds. Although principally intended as a preliminary rehearsal for the total eclipse next year, a full programme of photography and timing of tho various contacts will bo undertaken. Tho party will be equipped with a coelostat and lUft. coronagraph with a 4in. lens on loan from England for both eclipses. Parties at Other Points

Mr. Micjiie has had previous experience in eclipse observation, having witnessed the annular eclipse of 1027 and tho total eclipse seen by the NewZealand party stationed at Niuafou in 1930. Among his party on Monday will bo Mr. 1. L. Thomson, of tho Dominion Observatory, "Wellington, Dr. J. 11. llule, Kaitaia, Mr. A. W. B. Powell, of the staff of tho Auckland War Memorial Museum, Mr. W. Cade and Mr. W. Hose.

Another important party under the direction of Dr. C. E. Adams, former Dominion Astronomer, also will take up a station in the eclipse zone, probably at some position remote from the Pukekohe group, in tho hope that one party at least may experience clear skies. Dr. Adams already has taken part in two eclipse expeditions, to Western Australia in 1922, and Niuafou in 19:50

The Auckland Astronomical Society is sending a party to the lino of central eclipse. Professor P. W. Burbidge, professor of physics at Auckland University College, already has gone to Rangiriri to set up his telescojK's and camera. It is his intention to take a complete cinematographic record of the progress of the eclipse, and for this purpose a small cine camera will bo attached to a 6in. reflecting telescoj>e mounted to follow the sun's track in the sky. Careful Preparations Apart from the value of the film pietoriallv Professor Burbidge hopes to obtain excellent timing of tho eclipse by this means. Professor Burbidge will be assisted by Mr. A. D. Harris and a party of university students. Dr. G. Home and Mr. F. J. Morshead, of the New Plymouth Astronomical Society, also intend to travel to the eclipse zone to conduct observations.

The great amount of work entailed in such eclipse expeditions is revealed from the fact that although programmes were arranged months ago, the transporting and setting up of the instruments to be usci by the various parties is not vet completed, while even after the telescopes have been placed in position there is the delicate work of focussing and making trial exposures. It is customary also to have several rehearsals to ensure the smooth working of the plans during the few vital minutes of annular eclipse.