PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 October 1948, Page 4

PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN

PHENOMENON ON MONDAY (By “Sky Pilot”) A total eclipse of the sun will take place on November 1, over a part of the earth’s surface, from Nairobi, in Kenya, north of Madagascar, over the Indian Ocean and south of Australia. It does not touch any land, however, where observing conditions are good. Unfortunately, New Zealand will not be in the complete shadow of the moon as there will only be a partial eclipse from here. A partial eclipse only is visible in South and East. Africa, the Indian Ocean and Australia. In most places in New Zealand the sun sets before the maximum phase is attained, except, in the extreme south. At Milford Sound and Invercargill the sun sets with the greatest phase shining. THE PARTIAL PHASES IN NEW ZEALAND

The apparent movement, of the moon across the sun is rather rapid, because the hour-angle is greater than 6th. A partial eclipse is that in which a circular notch or bite seems to he taken out of one side of the sun. So in this eclipse one side of the sun’s arc is covered by the moon and the other side is exposed to view. What is partial for us is total for those in the direct line of the shadow. When the sun is totally eclipsed in one locality it is sure to be partially eclipsed somewhere else. For people in the dark or black shadow (the umbra) the whole sun is covered by the moon. Those who are in the surrounding partiaLy shaded area (the penumbra) can still see part of the sun; hence partial eclipse. Though a total eclipse is a rare phenomenon for a locality, partial eclipses of the sun are seen rather often. The reason for this is that the penumbra, or partial shadow in which one sees nart of the sun covered, is about 4000 miles wide. So somewhere along a strip as wide as this a very large number of people should be ab r e to see the sun dimmed and a notch taken out of the side of the sun's disc. A total or partial eclipse attracts our attention. Therefore we have to be very careful to prevent hurt to

?ha pv?s. The eyesight can be permanenf’v damaged if this care is not exercised. At ways remember, viewing the eclipse with the naked eve through snectacles or field g’asses wiF burn the dedicate retina of the eve. The safest wav to view it. is bv using a card with a ninhole in V an- 1 Inning the sunlight nass through the pinhole and fall unon another card. A picture of the erlHse wi'l t’wn be thrown unon the white card and a good idea of it will then Tn addition, many observers will be

able to see it at the snnp lime. A more risky wav to view it. is bv using heavily smoked g’ass nr several thicknesses of photographic negatives. Never use even a small telescope without the proper kind nf eyepiece to protect the eyes. Special cam must bo taken with children. To disobey instructions is to court disaster.

1st Contact Sun sets II. M. S. H. M. Milford Sound 18 40 03 19 36 Dunedin 18 39 15 19 28 Christchurch 18 40 54 19 15 Wellington 18 42 19 19 02 Wanganui 18 43 1G 18 58 New Plymouth 18 41 03 19 oo Auckland . 18 45 37 IS 33 18hrs. means 6 p.m ; lOhrs. means 7 p,m.