302 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



A PRELIMINARY ACCOUNT OF THE SOLAR ECLIPSE OF 

 MAY 28, 1900, AS OBSERVED BY THE SMITH- 

 SONIAN EXPEDITION. 



By Dr. S. P. LANGLEY, 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



PARTLY in deference to the report of the United States Weather 

 Bureau, from which it appeared that the chance of a fair eastern 

 sky on the morning of the eclipse was about 8 to 1, and after examina- 

 tion by Mr. Abbot of many stations in North Carolina, Wadesboro, of 

 that State, was selected early in April as the site of the Smithsonian 

 observations. The advantages of Wadesboro being also recognized by 

 Professor Young, of Princeton, Professor Hale, of Yerkes Observatory, 

 and the Rev. J. M. Bacon, of the British Astronomical Association, 

 it came about that four large observing parties, besides several smaller 

 ones and numerous excursionists from the surrounding country, were all 

 joined to produce at Wadesboro one of the largest company of eclipse 

 observers ever assembled for scientific purposes. It is a matter for 

 congratulation that the sky at Wadesboro upon the day of the eclipse 

 was cloudless and clearer than the average, so that the efforts of the 

 observing forces were not thwarted by any circumstances beyond then- 

 control. The provisions of the Mayor and authorities of Wadesboro 

 for preventing intrusion before and during the eclipse, and thus secur- 

 ing an undisturbed field of operations, deserve especial recognition. 

 Further than this, the many acts of courtesy and hospitality to the 

 visiting astronomers on the part of the townspeople will long be remem- 

 bered by the recipients. 



The Smithsonian party proper consisted of thirteen observers, and 

 included Mr. Langley, Mr. Abbot, aid acting in charge of the Smith- 

 sonian astrophysical observatory; Mr. Smillie, in charge of photography; 

 Mr. Putnam, of the United States Coast Survey; Mr. Fowle, Mr. Men- 

 denhall, Mr. Child, Mr. Draper, Mr. Gill, Mr. Kramer and Mr. Smith. 

 Included with these, the Rev. Father Searle and the Rev. Father Wood- 

 man gave most valuable assistance. Mr. Hoxie, of Port Royal, S. C, 

 and Mr. Little, of Wadesboro, rendered valued assistance to Mr. Putnam 

 during totality. 



Professor Hale, of the Yerkes Observatory, was a member of the 

 party, while still in general charge of the Yerkes expedition, and his 

 counsel and aid were of the greatest service. Mr. Clayton, of Blue 



