I, 



t has occurred to me that the members of Ihe Videnskabs- 

 selskab might be interested in hearing something about an ex- 

 cursion I made to Vefsen to see the total eclipse of the sun on 

 the 21st August. 



The expedition was of a purely private character, so I must 

 begin by asking my hearers not to expect great things. The 

 only public grant received was 300 kroner towards the travelling 

 expenses of two of my assistants, this grant being obtained 

 through Professor Geelmuyden. 



The members of our expedition were, in addition to my wife 

 and myself, Mr. B. J. Birkeland, meteorologist, Mr. Kristian 

 Lous, Fellow of the University, Dr. Henie and Mr. J. T. F. Oxaal, 

 geologist. 



What I had in view in planning the excursion, in addition 

 to witnessing the phenomenon itself, was as follows: 



In the first place to observe whether there was any oc- 

 currence of aurora during the eclipse, and if there were, to 

 obtain parallax photographs of it for the determination of its 

 height and position. An aurora such as this would have great 

 interest, for otherwise it cannot be seen so near the sun. owing 

 to the daylight. 



In the next place I was desirous of obtaining as many 

 photographs of the outer corona as possible. In case this should 

 extend many degrees out from the sun in the form of very 

 distinct rays — as has occasionally been observed — my auroral 

 photographic apparatuses would be suitable for the purpose, 

 although the image of the sun on the plate would be very small; 

 for the apparatuses are so sensitive to the light that an exposure 



