Abstract
OWING to very unfavourable weather, the eclipse of last year was observed in the presence of a large amount of cloud. The lecturer, while only being able to refer to the few results that were secured, took the opportunity of explaining why expeditions were sent out to observe eclipses, and how a large expedition is organised when it is known that the assistance of one of his Majesty's ships is available. Introducing the subject with a few words as to the conditions which cause total solar eclipses, their occurrence in families, &c., he then pointed out that the sum total of time spent in useful observation at all the eclipses which have been observed up to date is very short, and amounts probably to less than three hours, for an eclipse cannot last longer than eight minutes, and does not, as a rule, exceed three minutes.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
The Total Eclipse of the Sun, April, 1911, as Observed at Vavau, Tonga Islands 1 . Nature 89, 151–155 (1912). https://doi.org/10.1038/089151b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/089151b0