46 



KNOWLEDGE & SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 



[Mar., 1905. 



The total eclipse of the sun during the present year on- 

 August 30 possesses many advantages, in that it is 

 almost at our own doors, is of long duration, and the 

 most accessible for many years to come. 



The shadow strikes the earth in Canada south-^yest of 

 Hudson's Bay, where the eclipse begins at sunrise ; it 

 then leaves the .\merican Continent near DominD Har- 

 bour, Labrador, crosses the .-Vtlantic, and reaches Europe 

 near C. Ortegal, in the N.W. of Spain, traverses over 

 Spain, near Oviedo, Palencia, Burgos, .\teca, Calatayud, 

 Castellon, thence across the Mediterranean to Algeria, 

 Tunis, Tripoli, Egypt (near Assouan), and _ finally to 



On account of its proximity, Spain will be largely 

 favoured as a site for making observations, and, in addi- 

 tion to parties from this country, further contingents may 

 be expected from America. Burgos, already visited by 

 some members of the British Astronomical Association 

 after the eclipse of 1900, is of easy access, being served by 

 the direct Paris Madrid rail, and can be reached from 

 London in 32 hours, whilst Palencia can be reached 

 almost as quickly, and has the advantage of being 

 described as " healthy and cold." In consequence of the 

 meagre accommodation (the greater part of which is 

 already engaged at Burgos), a prolonged stay is undesir- 



Spain, showing Central Eclipse Line, with North and South Limits. 



Arabia, where the sun will be eclipsed at sunset. The 

 width of the shadow varies slightly at different portions 

 of the track, but it is, approximately, 120 miles. 

 Further particulars are as follows : — 



able, but San Sebastian or Biarritz may serve as a base 

 for the former, and Santander for the latter place. 



Oviedo can be reached from Palencia in about 7A hours, 

 and is one of the few places m Spain witli hotels 

 described i\s " good." 



Ateca and Calatayud are more difTicult of access, as a 

 journey to Madrid or Saragossa is involved, thence by 

 the Madrid and Saragossa line. 



The disadvantage of the Mediterranean coast is the 

 great heat at this period of the year, but more favourable 

 weather conditions are to be expected the further east- 

 wards one proceeds. Castellon is one of the most pro- 

 mising places and can be reached from Valencia in less 

 than two hours, or from Barcelona in six hours, whilst 

 the journey from London to Barcelona can be made in 

 thirty hours, or quicker than to Madrid. 



A skeleton itinerary, with times of trains now in 



