THE ILLUMFNATION OF THE ECLIPSED MOON. 



371 



shadow, tlioro can, I think, bo no doubt that the corona 

 must throw a very appreciable amount of light for a short 

 distance within the margin of the shadow; for here, it 

 must be remembered, rays will fall from the very bright- 

 est parts of the corona — those immediately contiguous 

 to tlie sun. The rapid diminution of light which we 

 observe as the distance from the edge of the shadow 

 increases is just what might be expected from the rapid 

 diminution in the brightness of the corona as the distance 

 from the sun increases. It is possible that the spectroscope 

 might help in tliis ])articular inquiry. 



