WHAT AN ECLIPSE LOOKS LIKE.

Shannon News, 22 July 1927, Page 4

WHAT AN ECLIPSE LOOKS LIKE.

Dr. William J. Sv Lockyer, M.A;., P.R.A.S..,director of the: Borman Lockyer Observatory, , writing, in the Sunday Times of the total > eclipse of the sun on June 29, says:— “The first sign that the eclipse has commenced is the appearance of a tiny black speck, on the moon’s disc cutting off an equal portion of the sun. • This small bite, so to speak out of the sun grows larger and larger , as: the moon proceeds to pass across the sun. The observer will probably be astonished at the little diminution of daylight even when half the sun is hidden behind the moon. A little later, however, .the azure blue sky begins to take on' an colour and the general light distinctly grows rapidly less..’ “It is now that a sense of,uneasiness begins to pervade both human and' animal life, and a sudden chilliness and dampness begins to be felt. The continued progress of the moon and the rapidly diminishing crescent of the sun accelerates the awe-inspiring feeling within one, and the ashen-grey colour deepens. - “Then with.amazing suddenness tile last vestige of the sun disappears, and darkness literally swoops, over the earth; The most wonderful and splendid of all sights appears before one: this is the silvery and pearly-coloured corong encircling the blackest of black moons like a brilliant decoration set in the sky. Motionless and changeless if remains until the first gleam of the reappearing sun renders it invisible again. “►Sometimes the corona is tinged here and there near its base with ruddy hues, due to the presence of those brilliantly red solar disturbances called prominences, several of which may themselves be seen hugging the black moon. At the moment of totality somo of the brighter stars may have already become visible in the sky, and also, some of- the planets, should - they be suitably ‘placed, but oil" this occasion none are favourably situated. On occasions bright comets have been sesn near the suit, and it is quite possible that one may be seen on this occasion : “As suddenly as totality commences so it ends, and the first streak of sunlight puts an end to that intense spellbound feeling that grips one all through the total phase. All-nature seems to come: to life again, and normal conditions are soon resumed. ”