THE SOLAR ECLIPSE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 989, 9 May 1911, Page 3

THE SOLAR ECLIPSE.

MR. WRAGGE’S OBSERVATIONS. Auckland, M.*y 7. The following message from Mr Clement Wragge arrived to-day by the steamer Parley, which called at the Islands, en route from San Francisco :

“I organised a special eclipse expedition to Lifuka and Mauugaone Island (Tongau group). A magnificent view was obtained, with a cloudless sky. During the entire period ui totality, the weird light, culminating with a purple darkness over the ocean, and the ripple of the palms, afforded a unique spectacle. Altogether ten phoiographs of the total phase svere secured, besides others during the progress of the eclipse, aud three sketches. The hydrogen flames were especially marked on the S.E. and N.E. quadrants, some leaping higher than others from a continuous ridge of red flame. The biggest red flame exceeded 173,000 miles. On the S.W. and N.E. quadrants four great coronae appeared (two from each quadrant), and they extended from the sun’s limb to over 400,000 miles. Observing also with the telescope, it was most interesting watching the obscuring by the moon of a huge sunstorm fully 30,000 miles in diameter.

“ The natives rushed into their houses in fright. Venus was a striking object in the eastern sky. At Vavatt, unfortunately, the sky was reported cloudy, and the observations there were marred in consequence. The photographs have been sealed up, and will be developed iu New Zealand.”