294  Mr.-Squire on the Solar Eclipse of May 15th. 
May 15, p.M., must be considered to rank foremost in a popu- j 
lar point of view. This eclipse, it is well known, will be an- 
nular in the North of England, and central across Northum- 
berland. It also further appears that this central track will 
run very nearly over the town of Alnwick, and on looking at 
the line of its course, it is clear that this place will be found 
the most convenient and proper for observing this eclipse 
under its greatest magnitude; with this impression I have 
been induced to send you the results of my computations of 
the same for that place, with some other trifling matters re- 
lating to this subject, which I hope you will find a corner for 
in the next Number of the Philosophical Magazine. 
Particulars of the large Solar Eclipse of May 15, p.m., 1836 ; 
computed for the Latitude and Longitude of Alnwick.* 
© eclipsed May 15th, p.m. 
comp. for Alnwick. 
Beginning.......... 1" 41™58*] ,at 45° 56' 58" west of the ©'s 1.1. 
Begs of annulus ....3 5 544 ( )’scentre N. of ©’s = 5!'"1646 ; 
: ’ then will the greatest breadth 
Middlesg ha. Visi. 3 813349 ofthe annulus be 56/8446, 
Visible d@p ....-..3 8 147 and least 46/5154. 
End of annulus ....3 10 32:2 
End of eclipse...... 4.28 2:1, at 34°54! 46” from the ©’s vertex. 
For the basis of these calculations, I have supposed the 
geographical latitude of Alnwick to be 55° 25! 22" N. or its 
geocentric 55° 14’ 49", and longitude 1° 28’ W. of the Royal 
Observatory, Greenwich. 
The rare phenomenon of a central eclipse in England, and 
the opportunity it offers for scientific inquiry, will no doubt 
be an inducement for many gentlemen to visit Alnwick, and 
its neighbourhood, for the purpose of making such observa- 
tions on the present eclipse as may be conducive to the ex- 
tension of our knowledge in astronomy and _ philosophy. 
Should the atmosphere be favourable the observer must not 
only be careful to observe the beginning and end with the 
greatest accuracy, but also the immersions and emersions of 
the solar spots; the inflection of light about the beginning and 
ending of the annular formation ; and it will also be interesting 
to observe what stars are visible. The barometer and ther- 
mometer should be attended to, and experiments made on the 
calorific effects of the solar rays on different bodies, regard 
being had to the magnitude of the eclipse at the same time. 
Moreover, the colour and shade of objects should be at- 
* The instants are given in mean solar time according to the meridian 
of that place. 
