SOLAR ECLIPSE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18891, 5 January 1927, Page 6

SOLAR ECLIPSE.

CLOUDS SPOIL VISION.

OBSERVATIONS IN DOMINION.

Those who rose at fire o'clock yesterday morning to observe the eclipse of the sun must hare been disappointed. The sky was dear earlier in the morning, but by five o'clock clouds had gathered, and the 6un was invisible during practically the whole of the 6clio6© The actual eclipse started at 5.40 a.m., but at that time the sun was coraDletelv obscured by clouds. A rift appeared later in the cloud formation, and though clouds still covered the sun, watchers could faintly see for a time the moon's shadowed surface upon the sun's face. The eclipse was completed by half-past seven. Although the greater part of the sun was covered by the moon during the eclipse, there was no apparent change in light, and the the sky did not darken as many people had anticipated it would do. At.Mt. Somers. in Mid-Canterbury, the sky was cloudless yesterday morning, and those who rose early to watch the eclipse were well repaid for their trouble. Early risers at Ashburton had the unique" opportunity of witnessing the partial solar eclipse. The contact was seen clearly through a cloudless sky, and with the aid of u, smoked glas9 the dark disc of the moon could be plainly seen gradually obscuring the sun. The contact lasted until about 7.30 a.m.

CLOUDY SKY AT WELLINGTON,

[THE PRESS Special Berries,]

WELLINGTON, January 4,

Many a face and eye were blackened this morning with the soot off smoked glass in the endeavour on the part of observers to see the partial eclipse 6f the sun. It took place right enough according to time-table, but a cloudy sky prevented any uninterrupted view of the two hours' phenomenon. Fortunately breaks in the clouds every now and again allowed one to see how the eclipse was progressing, and there was something to be said in favour of the clouds—they at times enabled observations to be made with the naked eye without smoked glass or other contrivances to reduce the glare of the sun. In a spiteful sort of spirit the skies at the termination of the eclipse cleared, and the sun shone with resplendent vigour, as if rejoicing in his freedom from the curtain of the moon.

EERINESS AT GISBORNE. (FUSS ISSOCIATIOH OUOBAX.) GISBORNE, January 4. The eclipse of the sun was witnessed under weird conditions this morning. There was an overcast sky and misty conditions with occasional glimpses of the sun, giving the landscape an eerie appearance. At one time it was sufficiently dark to require artificial light.