ECIIPSE OF THE SUN.

Thames Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 10352, 28 April 1911, Page 2

ECIIPSE OF THE SUN.

SATURDAY MORNING.

An eiclipse of the sun -will take place to-morrow 1 (Saturday), the 29th instant, commencing about the time when our luminary makes its appearance above the eastern hills, between 7.15 and 7.30. It may be watched for iby protecting the eye with coloured or smoked glass, no telescope being neoessaay for its observance.

Aa no similar occurrence ha's boen visible heire since IS'9O our young people should watch its progress. Should the weather ibte favourable the mooln will be sjeen passing in front of the sun, appearing to "cut out" a

portion of the laitteir, until the sun looks like a. youngl moon, only in inch bMghtel'. Subsequently the sun's light will increase again as the moon passes away, Midi in' about a

couple of hours, or less, all will L ovter.

Tho following explanation may interest those who haiv© not studied the slubjec*. The moon's path in the heavens ia aiv ellipse (nearly a circle) noi. L. quite in the same plane as our earth's path round the sun. Jt iovolves round tis thirteen times while we go round the sun ,onoe. The moon has no light of its own, thaiti which we rtedeive from it being "sunshine" reflected froto. the part of thei moon which is turned towards tho sun. so that when it hawnenal to bfci between us and the sun, we cllo not really see it at all,as its illumined' side is turned away from us. This is the period of "new moon," as given in tha almanato. A day or two afterwards wa see it as a thin crescent of light over thel horizon -when the sun has set

We may mention that when the moon 13 on the opposite side of its orbit around us, We see it as a "full moon," and when it happens that it is in exact line with eia>rth and sun, tho shadow of the earth falls on the moon and eclipyes the latter 1. JOHN GHRffGG, F.R.A.S., Tluaney Obsemitoiy.