THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA
                   Standing Committee On Observational Activities
                    Programme for Solar Eclipse of Ju]y 20, 1963
                   ______________________________________________

Bulletin No. 7                                                          June 10, 1963

                                  SPECIAL PROJECTS


    Since the National Eclipse Committee began issuing this series of bulletins as a
guide for those who intend to observe the forthcoming solar eclipse, a number 
individuals have written describing more advanced or specialized projects which the
intend to carty out. In addition, it was realized while the other bulletins were
being prepared that certain of the programmes described should receive more elaborate
treatment than was then possible. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide a
more detailed description of some aspects of the proposed observation programme.

    The list of projects herein is probably not complete. Hence we would be
interested to hear of arv other special projects which are being contemplated. If
arwone still firS the information in this bulletin inadequate, he is invited to write
to the co-ordinator for further information.


1.  The Committee would like to draw attention to the directions in Bulletin No.3 for
    observing the flash spectrum with a diffraction grating and binoculars or a tele-
    scope. Transmission gratings aflai most of the incident light to pass through
    in a "white" beam. This beam must be avoided as it will injure the eye. The
    spectrum emerges fran the grating at a fairly wide angle to this beam, and this
    angle can be best found experimentally by placing the grating over the objective
    and projecting the image onto a white card. When the spectrum emerges straight
    cut behind the eyepiece, the white beam should not be visible at all. For
    maximum safety the instrument should be mounted so that it will not accidentally
    be aimed at the sun when the observer looks in.

2.  Since Bulletin No.4 was published, Kodak has issued a revised booklet on solar
    eclipse photograjfty. Although substantially the same in most respects as the
    Original edition, it contains the following points which are worth mentioning:

    (1)  Neutral density PHOTOGRAPHIC filters are not suitable for visual use,
         since they transmit infrared rays which can burn the eye.

    (2)  When preparing to photograph the corona, bear in mind that Kodachrome II
         has a speed of ASA 25, raised from 10, and Tri-X pan film is now rated
         at 400 instead of 200.

    (3)  The following section of the exposure table needs to be revised as noted:

                 FILM                INNER CORONA             OUTER CORONA

                                 old            new          old          new

            Tri-X             f/8 @ 1/10    f/16 @ 1/10   f/8 @ 1/2   f/16 @ 1/2
            Roy. Pan              "         f/11 @ 1/10       "       f/11 @ 1/2
            High Speed
             Ektach.              "              "            "            "

Eclipse Bulletin No. 7 cont'd.                                                -2-


3. Photography of the Corona: It is seen from the table in the last paragraph that
the outer corona requires about five times the exposure sufficient for the inner
corona. To record the fainter details without over-exposing the bright inner
parts, some device must be used to reduce the light reaching the film in increasing
amotuits toward the centre of the image to, say, 1/2 that entering at the edge. For
this purpose, three methods may be recommended:
(1) a rotating sector shutter in the image plane, centred on the image;
(2) a circular filter dense at the centre and thinning out toward the edge;
(3) a small disc (comparable in size with the diameter of the image) placed
      inside focus . The positions of afl three are shown in the diagram below:

           (Diagram here.)


4.  Spectroscopic Projects: Photography of the flash spectrum was described in
    Bulletin No.4 and need not be repeated. However, for photographing the spectrum
    of the corona or of the light in the sky, an entire]y different approach must be
    used. A telescope must be used to gather light. Instead of the eyepiece, a
    slit is mounted in the focal plane and the usual train of collimating lens,
    grating or prism, and camera lens must be employed as shown in the diagram.
    While a diffraction grating has the advantage of giving a constant dispersion,
    the brighter spectrum from a prism permits shorter exposures.

    The writer has been unable to find any information concerning exposure times;
    however, the corona is usual]y rather less bright than the full moon, and on this
    basis it is suggested that those undertaking s‡ectroscopic work should practise
    on the moon, and then, knowing the necessary exposure for the moon, give twice or
    four times this exposure at the eclipse itself (preferably both, if there is time).


    (Diagram here.)


5.  Measurement of the Colour of the Corona: Past experiments suggest that the colour
    of the inner corona is not the same as that of the outer corona, but results vary.
    This sort of information can be obtained by measuring the darkening at different
    points On photographs of the corona taken through red and blue filters, and can-
    paring red and blue for different parts of the corona. This method, although
    simple in principle, is easily made worthless by insufficient]y accurate calibra-
    tion and by spurious effects caused by scattered light.

Eclipse Bulletin No. 7 cont'd                                                -3-


    Probably the best filters to use are the Wratten 25 (red) and 47 (blue); (see
    Handbook of Physics and Chemistry). At least one short and one long exposure
    must be made through each filter during totality; a total of four or more, each
    lasting several seconds.   Although the image on the film must be of reasonable
    size, it is obvious that a rather "fast" optical system must be used.   A steady,
    clock-driven mounting is essential.   A medium-grain black-and-white film is
    probably the best to use.

    In submitting his results for analysis, the observer should enclose the actual
    filters used, as these are not perfectly uniform. For the purposes of calibra-
    tion, afl aposures must be made on a single roll of film, which is also to be
    used later to make test exposures for determining the film' s characteristics,
    notably the relations between wave-length aid sensitivitq, and between exposure
    time and, darkening. The lengths of the exposures must in all cases be known
    very accurately, aid a note on the estimated accuracy of measurement must be
    supplied.

6.  Photography of the Spectrum with PolarizedLgt: It has been found in the past
    that the light fran the corona is polarized. One observer intends to take
    photographs of the coronal spectrum through a polarizing prism, rotating the
    latter between exposures, to determine whether the polarization is the same for
    all the (emission) lines, or whether the effect varies for the lines of different
    elements.

    It is hoped that there will be enough time to make four exposures during totality,
    using a 6" f/10.5 reflecting telescope with a grating spectrograph as shown in the
    diagram. After the end of totality a number of comparison spectra will be made
    from the sun and from an incandescent bulb, in order to offset errors arising from
    interference fringes caused by a lacquer coating over the surface of the grating
    to be used.




    (Diagram here.)



7.  Recording Changes in the flash Spectrum: A well-timed succession of spectrograms
    showing the reversal of the lines at the onset of totality is at value. For the
    1959 eclipse three members of the Ottawa Centre devised the camera shown here. A
    description follws:

    "Our camera lens was an air-spaced achrcxnat of diameter 4 in. and focal length
    42 in. We used no slit, but mounted a large diffraction grating ..., in front
    of the lens.   (It) had about 5000 lines/inch and .... was blazed in the first