52 
REVEALED BY A SHADOW: or THE 
GLORIES OF A TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE. 
(Illustrated by the Lantern). 
By the Rev. R. KILLIP, F.R.A.S. October 6th, 1908. 
A Total Eclipse of the Sun is the most awe-inspiring of all 
the phenomena of nature. The fading light, the weird effects 
on the landscape, the swift approach of the Moon’s shadow, 
the exquisite beauty of the corona, and the sight of crimson 
flames from the Sun’s edge all strike the imagination and 
fill the soul with wonder. 
The apparent diameters of Sun and Moon are about equal, 
but, owing to the varying distances of these bodies, it some- 
times happens that when the moon gets between the Sun 
and the Earth it more than hides the solar disc, and causes 
a total occultation or eclipse. If, when the Moon is new it 
is at one of its nodes, an eclipse must of necessity occur ; 
though it may happen that its angular diameter is less than 
that of the Sun, in which case the eclipse is annular and not 
total. 
The Lecturer then gave a full explanation as to why Solar 
eclipses are so seldom seen in any one position of the earth 
and made clear by a number of diagrams the effects of Lunar 
parallax. 
The interest in a total eclipse centres in the fact that the 
physics of the Sun best enables us to study astrophysics in 
general. Certain solar phenomena can only be studied at 
present by the aid of the moon’s intervention when new, 
such as the shape, extent and constitution of the corona. 
The connection between the spot cycles and the coronal 
form was illustrated by photographs and sketches, and a full 
account given of the green ray, provisionally named coronium, 
which could only be studied at such times. 
After recounting some experiences en route, Mr. Killip 
proceeded to describe the instrumental equipment with 
which he and his companion, Mr. D. E. Benson, of Southport, 
did their work at. Burgos. 
