The Eclipse of the Sun.

Otago Witness, Issue 1764, 12 September 1885, Page 18

The Eclipse of the Sun.

" Achfcr Nahr" writes from Purakanui: — " The partial eclipse of the sun this morning was visible from the iir^t contact of the moon's limb with the sun until nearly the last contact, when heavy clouds intervened. However the most interesting portion, or centralily of tho eclipse, proved very interesting, the limb of the moon being 1 sharply defined, and the irregularities caused by the mountains on the moon's limb were seen. Of course the eclipse not being total, there was .no appearance of the sun's corona or other attendant phenomena usually seen at total eclipses. At the middle of the eclipse, about 7 hours 47 minutes a.m., the sun assumed the form of a fine crescent, and there was a slight diminution of light, the sky being somewhat darkened —in fact the effect was similar to that of moonlight in colour, beyond which nothing worthy of special note occurred. Mr Skey, of the Dunedin Observatory, has kindly sent us the following: —" The morning ' commenced giving little hopes of seeing the eclip.se. Shortly before 7, however, breaks in the clouds allowed the sun to bo seen until four-fifths of its diameter was eclipsed. At 7.30 dense clouds precluded further observation until after tlie middle of the eclipse. A large solar spot, with surrounding faeulae, well seen." Our Oamaru correspondent informs us that the morning there was beautifully clear, and a fine view of the eclipse was obtained.

Auckland, September 9. The eclipse this morning was observed under unfavourable conditions. The first contact was not witnessed owing to the low altitude of tho sun and obscuration by clouds. The darkness was very noticeable during the proper eclipse, but considering the great extent of the solar disc obscured, no great change in the temperature took place. When near the full contact a good view was obtained. The moon's limb appeared to be sharply defined again.st the brilliant disc of the sun, but no trace of mountain ranges was observed. The cloudy state of the sky prevented complete observations being made. Napier, September 9. The morning was bright aad clear. At 7.30 the sun appeared as the thin streak of a new n*oon; the thermometer fell from 52deg. to 40deg.; the sky became of .a livid colour, and the sea assumed a mud colour. Several excellent photos were taken by Mr A. H. Heal. Masterton, September 9. A heavy S.W. gale, with rain, set in last night, and the morning broke without signs of clearing. Mr M'Kerrow and party, who had camped at the foot of Otahuao, proceeded to the top and fixed their instruments amidst driving snow and hail. Just before totality the sky cleared, and all the phenomena were fairly visible. One photograph was. taken beforo totality, three during that period, and one after it. The corona was visible for fully a minute, the encircling ring of light radiating to a distance of about half the diameter of the sun. It was of a pale white colour, like the electric light, and of a uniform width, except at the sun's equator, where it slightly protruded. It was evidently of great extent, but from the exterior light was invisible, owing to the watery state of the atmosphere. The darkness was scarcely noticeable, owing to the clouds hanging about. Photos of the most important result of the expedition were taken. Dr Hector proceeded to Dryorton, tjho centre of the line of the eclipse, on,the top of' Kangitirmari. There were hiding clouds, but he got fair observations. Wellington, September 9. Last night heavy rain came up from the southward, and matters looked gloomy for observing the eclipse in the town. At 5.30 this morning the sky was beautifully clear except in the desired direction, where masses of black clouds lay banked up. As the sun ascended behind these clouds the rugged edges became beautifully illuminated, and rays of great brilliancy shot up from behind. At about 7 a.m. the clouds began to break, and the sun shortly afterwards appeared, with the moon covering about a quarter of its surface. By the time that the total phase was reached the sun was sufficiently clear of the clouds to give an uninterrupted view. As totality was reached the scene was most impressive. The darkness increased, and the western heavens became illuminated with a deep orange colour, shading off into the most delicate of yellow. A number of stars were plainly seen during the darkneos. Pigeons and other birds began to fly about in a helpless fashion, and sought their roosts. After about a ininute and a-half the sun again shone out, and the light gradually increased. Dr Hector reports that "heavy southerly squalls with hail spoiled the observations. We were at Dryerton, on the centre of the line, but got only a partial glimpse. A pink patch surrounded tho sun and extended 15deg from it, probably due to some dust film in the high atmosphere, that caused tho sun-glows last year.' 1 Collingwood, September 9. The eclipse was viewed here under most favourable circumstances. The first shadow appear d to come at 6.27, by which time the sun had attained a considerable altitude, affording an excellent opportunity of witnessing the first contact. The shadow finally passed the sun at 7.42. Nelson, September 9. The eclipse this morning was a grand spectacle, the weather being splendid and the atmosphere perfectly clear. The corona and projections were well defined. Successful photos were taken. Blenheim, September 9. It being a remarkably bright morning, with a cloudless sky, the eclipse was visible from first to last. The eclipse was not total. The corona and rose-coloured flames were plainly seen, and stars were visible. Scientific observations were taken by Mr Dobson, C.8., and photographs by Mr W. H. Macey. * k Kaikoura, September 9. The eclipse was observed very distinotly here j this morning, and was seen to great advantage during the whole of the time, with the exception of a few minutes when there were passing clouds. Christchuech, September 9. The wenther this morning was overcast, and frequent passing clouds prevented a continuous view of the eclipse being obtained. Some observers distinctly j,aw a large spot on the sun with great distinctness. ' Observations with a telescope showed that the atmosphere was in a state of considerable agitation, due to the changeable nature of its temperature at the time. The eclipse was well-nigh invisible at Lytfcolton, owing to the thick clouds which almost incessantly drove across the sun, and rendering tho darkness greater' than it would othmvise have been. Ashot«ton, September. 9. A splendid uninterrupted view of the eclipae

was obtained here. There was a considerable diminution of light on the nearest approach to totality, and several stars were visible.

Invkrcaroill, September 9. The sky was cloudy, but a splendid'view" of the eclipse was occasionally obtained by a number of watchers. The obscuration appeared to be greater than predicted, being at one time fully seven-eights of the sun's surface. This may, however, have been partly due to the cloudy medium, which made the phenomenon quite plain to the naked eye.