The Total Eclipse as seen at Ootacamund

Abstract

As a photographer and an ardent lover of science, I was of course anxious to catch an image or two of the eclipse, as a memorial of the grand scene of the morning of the 12th inst. Unfortunately for me, I read a short time ago an article by Mr. Brothers, of Manchester, on photographing eclipses, in which he says that it is useless to attempt a photograph of an eclipse without an equatorial stand to fix the camera to. Inquiries soon convinced me that in a primitive place like this it was impossible to get such a stand, and, in consequence, I gave up all idea of making an attempt at taking a photograph of the eclipse. The eclipse, however, no sooner commenced, than I laid aside my telescope and brought my camera into use to watch the progress of the eclipse, with the aid of a strong magnifying glass on the focusing screen of the camera. Here I saw that the progressive movement was scarcely perceptible; and that, with a short exposure of three seconds, I might get an image: though not perfectly sharp, yet it might show all details necessary for forming an interesting memorial of the eclipse.