64 HERSCHEL AND HIS WORK 



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

 found the breadth of the ring to increase on the west 

 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 circumference, 

 which was ill defined, 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 whether 

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

 undertake to decide. 



" During the whole time of the total eclipse I kept 

 my telescope constantly fixed on the moon, in order 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 there, 

 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 seeemed 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 the 

 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 



