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VITI. Total Eclipse of the Sun, 1896.— The Novayct-Zemlya Observations. 
By Sir George Baden-Powell, K.C.M.G., M.P. 
Communicated by J. Norman Lockyer, C.B., F.R.S. 
Received November 19,—Read November 19, 1896. 
[Plates 1, 2.] 
1. As the observations of the total eclipse of the sun in 1896, made in Novaya-Zemlya 
by the “ Otaria” expedition, are the only British observations of that eclipse which 
secured successful results, it may be of some importance to detail the conditions 
under which those observations were made. 
2. On learning that the Government fuuds available for the observation of the 
total eclipse of 1896 would not suffice for more than the parties detailed to Japan 
and to Norway, I willingly offered to take another party to Novaya-Zemlya in my 
yacht “ Otaria.” 
3. It would thus be possible to increase the chances of a clear view of the eclipse ; 
and the altitude of the sun at the time of the eclipse would be far greater in Novaya- 
Zemlya than on the Varanger Fjord. 
Personally, I also formed high hopes as to results (especially photographic results) 
at a latitude far higher than any at which such powerful astronomical instruments 
had before been used. 
4. I received and carefully stowed on the yacht instruments of various kinds ; 
some selected by Mr. Norman Lockyer, with the approval of the Lords of Committee 
of Council on Education, from among those in the Solar Physics Observatory; and 
others by Mr. E. J. Stone, by special consent of the Trustees, from the instruments 
at the Badcliffe Observatory. 
5. I had the good fortune to receive as my guests Mr. E. J. Stone, M.x4., F.B.S., 
the Badcliffe Observer ; Mr. W. Shackleton, F.B.A.S., one of the staff under the 
Solar Physics Committee; and Lieutenant Vernon Brooke Webb, B.N. 
The late Prince Lobynoee, through our ambassador at St. Petersburgh, and at the 
request of the Foreign Office, was good enough to supply information for me, and to 
give special instructions to the officials of the Archangel Province to render every aid 
and assistance to our expeditiou. 
11.12.97 
