3-034-835 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Total Solar Eclipse of Dec. 12: III. - central eclipse, between Java and north Australia, 1871. 'Yet another interval of fifty minutes is supposed to have elapsed, and the earth presents the face shown in fig. III. It is now the true middle of the eclipse for the whole earth. Totality has passed in Java, and is in progress in the open sea between Java and Australia. If there are any ships at sea just there, the eclipsed sun lies nearly overhead, and the gloom upon the face of the ocean must form a strange contrast with the usual splendour of midday in the tropics. At the stations in India and Ceylon the eclipse is over. Very likely, however, Mr. Lockyer and his colleagues - supposing they have had good weather - are engaged in studying the solar prominences with the aid of the spectroscope, for comparison with the views (photographic or otherwise) obtained during the progress of totality...The solar eclipse of next Tuesday is the last of a series of four - in four successive years - which have led to remarkable scientific expeditions. In August, 1868, the great Indian eclipse took place, and along the path of the shadow were stationed two well-equipped English observing parties, as well as an Austrian party and two French parties'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.