The solar eclipse on December 12th 1871 was most
favourably observed at all the stations occupied by the scientific party under
Mr Lockyer’s direction as well as by Mr Janssen. Important scientific results
may be expected to be shortly made known
as indicated in the the message from Mr Lockyer.
Here in Colombo the weather during the eventful morning was
all that could be desired, but being beyond the line of totality and shadow no
special scientific value can be attached to the highly interesting observations
made here by several gentlemen.
Our column this time will be unusually full of information
respecting the eclipse and the special expeditions sent from home to observe
it. About 3.5 inches of rain fell in Colombo between 8 00 pm on the 11th
and 5.00 am on the 12th. We add the results of local observations:-
the Sun rose obscured by clouds, which cleared off by about 6.30 .The whole
surface of the Sun presented the usual strippled broken appearance, with here
and there large spots. In the neighbourhood of these spots the strippling was
more apparent than over the parts free of spots, but they came out in bold
relief on the part of the Sun close to
the Moon’s limb. Probably this increase of distinctness was caused by contrast
of the black spot &c of the dark limb of the moon. This could not be seen
through the 3-inch telescope. Some little time before the greatest obscuration
a halo was visible around the sun, which gave place to short bright rays. This
latter appearance was probably an ocular deception, as no trace of it was
visible through the 4.5-inch telescope under a low power.
At the greatest obscuration no trace of corona was
observable through the same instrument, with a solar eyepiece with a power of
about 30. This was carefully looked for. The unobscured portion of the sun,
about 15-16ths of its disc, was well defined, without appendages of any kind.
Towards the time of centrality the diminution of daylight was very
conspicuous—going from the open air into the house it was very striking.
Standing in the centre of the room, and looking through the open window, the
sun-shine outside was of a neutral tint. The crows commenced to assemble on the
tree-tops, cawing after their usual fashion, when preparing for their night's
rest. The planet Venus, high in the sky, was distinctly visible to the naked
eye, and Jupiter, low down in the western horizon, was plainly discernible with
the aid of an opera-glass. The thermometer at the commencement of the eclipse
indicated 91.5 °F in the sun. At 7-15 it showed a rise of 2.5 degrees and
at the greatest phase it had fallen to
84.5°. In the shade it stood at 76
degrees; at 6-45 and at the greatest obscuration at 75° At 9-10, with the full blaze of the then
unobscured sun, the thermometer indicated 113 °; in the shade 81°.
Mr. Van Dort, of the Surveyor-
General's Department, with the aid of a 3-inch telescope, power 50, made some
careful drawings of the different phases of the eclipse. The attempt to take
the time of first contact and the ending of the eclipse proved abortive. An
ordinary watch was the only time- keeper at hand.
Instruments used in the above observations : Equatorial
Telescope by Cooke and Sons, of York, 4.5
inches clear aperture, 66 inches focal length. Telescope by same makers,
3 inches clear aperture, 42 inches focal length, mounted on tripod stand."
The above indicates the result of observations taken by Mr.
Stainfurth Green at his residence in Colpetty. Mr. Stoddart, of the Surveyor-
General's Office, took observations at the local observatory, showing the
actual time to be
First contact 06 h 47m 30 s am
Greatest darkness 07h.50 m15s
Last contact 09h.00 m 20s
Mr. W. L.H Skeen took some very successful photographic
views, which show not only the progress of the eclipse, but the direction and
form of the huge rays, projected from the sun or its corona, so much talked
of.—Ceylon Observer.
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