OBSERVERS OF ECLIPSE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19336, 28 May 1937, Page 5

OBSERVERS OF ECLIPSE

NEW ZEALAND PARTY

CANTON ISLAND REACHED

(Reed. May 28, 9.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 28. A radio message received from H.M.S. Wellington, which is carrying the New Zealand scientists to the Phoenix Islands to observe the solar eclipse on June 8 states that the warship arrived at Canton Island at two o’clock yesterday afternoon. The Avocet was at anchorage near the passage in the reef. The W‘ lington anchored close to The Avocet. After the courtesy calls it was too late for the expedition to disembark. Landing operations would be commenced at daybreak. The New Zealand scientists who left Auckland recently to travel to the Phoenix Islands for the purpose of observing the total solar eclipse, which will occur on June 8 are under the leadership of Mr. C. B. Micbie, of Kaitaia, and includes Mr: I. L. Thomsen, astronomer at the Dominion Observatory, Wellington, Mr. M. Geddes, a well-known amateur astronomer, of Winton, Southland, Mr. F. Gawith, of Eltham, Major Buddie, honorary zoologist of the Auckland War Memorial Museum,. Messrs. \V. Rose, P. Alton, and W. F. Berry, of Kaitaia. The party joined H.M.S. Wellington at Suva. When the programme of observations lias been carried out the party will reembark on the Wellington, which will carry the observers to Samoa. From there they will return to New Zealand on the Maui Pomare and it is expected they will reach Wellington about July 6: The eclipse will be a very important one, in that the greatest duration of totality, seven minutes four seconds, is only 26 seconds shorter than the greatest possible obscuration. With a track extending over nearly SOOO miles of the Pacific Ocean, Enclerbury and Canton Islands, in the Phoenix Group, and the coast of Peru, will be the' only land regions touched by the moon’s shadow. The Phoenix Islands are small coral atolls, only a few miles in extent and rising Very few feet above sea level. Among the instruments ...to be used by the New Zealand observers will be the 19ft. coronagraph which was used so successfully at l’ukekohe during the annular eclipse of the sun last December. This instrument has been loaned to the expedition by the Roval Astronomical Society. Several smaller instruments also will be used.

Total eclipses of the sun are such rare phenomena that when one occurs under favourable circumstances no efforts are spared by astronomers to send wellequipped parties many thousands of miles to the most favourable localities. During the few minutes of totality, while the moon hides the brilliant solar disc from our sight, it is possible to study the fainter atmospheric appendages of the sun. Special attention will he paid to the extent and shape of the corona, a delicate pearly glow surrounding the sun, seen only during total eclipses. A number of photographs will be secured and Mr. Miqhie also lias hopes of obtaining a picture of the whole corona more comprehensive than lias yet been secured. Photography in true natural colour also will be attempted.