THE ECLIPSE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1391, 12 September 1885, Page 3

THE ECLIPSE.

The following telegram was held over from our last issue “ Owing to a heavy gale and rain this (Wednesday) morning the eclipse was only partially observed from Masterton. The sun was seen during short and frequent intervals, so that observations might have been taken. Messrs McKerrow, Beverley, Humphries, Adams, and Willmott had, however, made complete arrangements for observations from Otahuao, and camped at the foot for the night. . Otahuao is fully six miles east of Masterton, about 400 feet high, with a second-class trig station. It is sis six miles south of the centre line ©f the eclipse, and it affords an uninterrupted view to the eastward. Snow had been falling on the hills all night, and the party was met by clouds of it before reaching Hie summit. A tent was erected to protect the instruments. just at the time of the first contact, the clouds parted, and the phenomenon knovn as. “ Bailey’s beads” was clearly observed, Mr Humphries, who was stationed at a hut four hundred feet lower, with a camera with a 5-inch lens, secured a good photograph, Nothing was then visible till totality set in, when the clouds again parted and kept away for the first minute. This phase could be observed with the unprotected eye. The corona when seen through a theodolite consisted of a beautiful bright white light, which apparently radiated to about half the diameter of the sun, being smaller at the pud’s pole. It was no doubt much larger, but the watery state of the atmosphere prevented the soft exterior light being seen. The red protuberances were very prominent. Mr Humphries obtained three good photographs at this stage. Jupiter and Mercury were plainly visible near the sun, and fixed stars here and there were visible where the clouds parted. The effect of the totality on the country was not very marked, owing to the clouds dispersing. Small print could easily be read. All birds went to roost and animals generally were greatly disturbed. No meteors nor any spots were observed. The time corresponded with that previously published. Dr Hector, accompanied by Mr B. H. Gore and Mr Chapman, took observations from Dryertown, on the centre line, having abandoned Bangituomai, owing to the hill being covered with clouds, They

had a fair views at iutervals. Both parties and numerous visitors from Wellington returned home the same afterneon. It is expected that the observation* will not prove of great scientific value, but the photos are considered splendid.