PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2837, 31 July 1916, Page 4

PARTIAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN

■ ;_.s, FAVOURABLE DAY FOIi, YES'I'ER,DAY'S PHE.NO'AIENON. ■ The partial eclipse of the sun yesterday was heralded by a lino morning, and except for a strong, northerly tho day continued excellent throughout. At the Kelburu Observatory the first and last contacts were observed, and tho times verified, there being the usual difference of a few seconds among (he .various observers. Several member* . of the Astronomical Section of the Wellington Philosophical Society were present, making photographic and visual observation's. During the eclipse threo specially-prepared cameras were used, at intervals of a few minutes, for taking photographs, which are expected to make a faithful record of the event. The public, to the number of about 300, Visited the observatory, and were much interested in the unusual occurence. The nin. equatorial telescope was used to project the sun's imago on to a screen, showing a disc of about lOin. diameter. This was sufficient tc showseveral sun Spots, the largest about 40(10 miles across, and these were gradually covered by the moon as it passed between the sun and the earth. M, tho greatest phase, ahrs.' Smiii. p.m., tho sun ap.peared. as a crescent, and' its light was noticeably diminished, the clouds assuming the appearance of evening. At: -Dirs. lGmin. tho dark body of the moon was seen to cloar the sun, and shortly afterwards ihe sunset behind the hill was watched on the screen, by a small, but interested, group of spectators.