RED PROMINENCES SEEN DURING TOTAL ECLIPSES OF THE SUN. 451 
Observed Angles of Position of the Hook-shaped Red Prominence. 







y OBSERVER. Mea Difference. 
7 eee 293'6 4175 
Airy, F ‘ 302°6 + 26°5 
Carrington, 5 272:2 — 39 
Dawes, . : 282-5 + 6-4 
Dunkin, . ‘ 245°3 — 30:8 
Good, - é 987-1 +11-0 
Gray, ; : 255 —211 
Hind, - : 275 — i] 
Humphreys, . 259-9 —16°2 
Jackson, ; 280-5 + 44 
Lassell, . rH 270 =) (eal 
Pettersson, d 282°6 + 65 
Snow, : : 265°3 — 10-8 
Swan, : : 282°1 + 6:0 
Wichmann, : 284 + 7-9 
Williams, 280 + 39 
Mean ofall, . 276-1 0-0 








I believe the discrepancies exhibited by these observations are fairly within 
the limits of error, when it is considered that the angles of position were roughly 
estimated during the haste and excitement unavoidably attending observations of 
a total solar eclipse.* If, on the other hand, they are regarded as too great to 
arise from mere errors of observation,—and it be attempted to reconcile the obser- 
vations, by supposing that the prominences are merely optical phenomena, which 
actually appeared differently at different stations,—it can easily be shewn, that 
nothing is gained by such a course. 
Granting, for the sake of argument, that the prominences are optical pheno- 
‘mena, it would still follow, that they should have appeared in exactly the same 
positions to observers situated at precisely the same point on the earth’s surface. 
Yet we find Mr Lassent and Mr Witttams differ by 10°, in assigning the position 
of the hook-shaped prominence, although they observed from the same house.+ 
* M. Anaco observes, “‘ Admettons un moment que les flammes étaient des parties in- 
tégrantes du Soleil,’—“ Deux quelconques de ces flammes ayant été visibles dans deux stations 
différentes, a Montpellier et 4 Turin par exemple, ne purent manquer de s’y présenter dans les mémes 
positions relatives et avec des formes identiques. Or les relations ne s’accordent pas toutes avec ce 
principe. Je m’empresse dajouter que la briévéte du temps dont les astronomes purent disposer 
pour mesurer les protuberances, pour determiner leurs assiette, et par-dessus tout, que la surpris que 
chacun éprouva au moment d’une apparition si inattendue, durent beaucoup nuire a l’exactitude des 
observations.” —Annuaire for 1846, p. 453. The observers of the late eclipse, certainly cannot plead 
the surprise occasioned by an unforeseen appearance as a reason why their accounts of the red promi- 
hences are not more consistent. But I believe they will agree with me in thinking, that a closer coinci- 
dence cannot be expected in observations so hastily conducted, and where the phenomenon observed 
was one whose novelty and grandeur were fitted to excite the most powerful emotions. 
ft Ast. Soc. Notice, pp. 58, 54. 
