ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 September 1922, Page 5

ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.

’ CONDITIONS IN SYDNEY. PARTIAL DARKNESS OCCURS. RUSH TO TOTALITY ZONE. By Telegraph.—Presa Assn.—Copyright. Received Sept. 21, 10.10 pan. Sydney, Sept. 21., The eclipse was witnessed in Sydney In almost perfectly clear weather, a few minutes after four o’clock, when the greatest phase occurred, only 14 per cent, of the sun’s disc being visible. 'The effect was as if the sun were being obscured by heavy i clouds. It became necessary to use lights in many business places, but the darkness quickly lifted. For over an hour crowds thronged the parks and streets, gazing at the sky through various devices, the vendors of which did a thriving trade, and the roofs of city buildings were covered with people similarly engaged. Latest advices from the totality zone and the northern centres stated there was every indication that the eclipse would be viewed in cloudless, windy weather. Great crowds were arriving by special trains from all parts of the State. OBSERVED AT WANGANUI. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. The eclipse was observed under very favorable conditions to-day and many people took advantage of the big telescope at the observatory. Mr. J. T. Ward, the director, had calculated the time at which the shadow would cross a sun spot, and he was less than half a minute out. SEEN AT NEW PLYMOUTH. GOOD OBSERVATIONS MADE. The partial eclipse of the sun was observed at New Plymouth. At eight minutes to five o’clock last evening, the image of the sun bejng projected by the telescope upon a wiiite card, the dark body of the moon suddenly intruded its eastern link upon the solar surface. A large number of persons, young and old, watched with interest as the black, semi-circular body appeared to eat its way slowly upward. By five o’clock a considerable segment of the moon was visible. The atmospheric conditions were exceptionally good, and notwithstanding I the extremely lbw altitude of the two bodies, the images of both were almoat perfectly steady. As the eclipse advanced a sunspot, which had been clearly visible upon the solar disc, passed out of sight behind the advancing moon. By half-past five a very noticeable lose of sunlight was apparent, nearly half of the solar disc being covered. An added interest to the watchers at this phase was occasioned by the flight of starlings homeward-bound to the Sugar Loaves, appearing projected upon the sun’s image as they passed, several milbs away, in line with the telescope. Just prior to sunset, when the maximum phase was reached, a beautiful cloud effect appeared projected upon the card. Slowly the apparently diminished orb of day passed into the clouds, and finally zank below the hill* to the left of Pari-