64 HERSCHEL AND HIS WORK 



earth's atmosphere ; and the observations of some, who 

 foun<l the breadth of tin- i-ini; to increase on the \\rst 

 side of the moon as the emersion approached, together 

 with the contrary sentiments of those whose judg- 

 ment I shall always revere, makes me less confident, 

 especially in a matter whereto I own I gave not all 

 the attention requisite. 



Whatever it was, this ring appeared much brighter 

 and whiter near the body of the moon than at a 

 distance from it; and its outward circumiV 

 which was ill < If fined, seemed terminated only by 

 the extreme rarity of the matter it was composed 

 of ; and in all respects resembled the appearance of an 

 enlightened atmosphere viewed from far; but win -tin r 

 it belonged to the sun or moon I shall not at present 

 undertake to decide. 



" During the whole time of the total eclipse 1 k-].t 

 my telescope constantly fixed on the moon, in onler to 

 observe what might occur in this uncommon appear- 

 ance : and I found that there were perpetual flashes or 

 coruscations of light, which seemed for a moment to 

 dart out from behind the moon, now here, now tli r< . 

 on all sides ; but more especially on the western side 

 before the emersion ; and about two or three seconds 

 before it, on the same western side where the sun was 

 just coming out, a long and very narrow streak of a 

 dusky but strong red light secerned to colour the dark 

 edge of the moon; though nothing like it had been 

 seen immediately after the immersion. But this 

 instantly vanished upon the first appearance of tin- 

 sun, as did also the aforesaid luminous ring." 1 



1 On the eclipse of July 7 (8), 1842, Baily writes : " The breadth of the 

 corona from the circumference of the moon was nearly equal to half of 



