The Story of Eclipses


Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.4 stars; 4 reviews)

Solar eclipses have both frightened and fascinated humankind for thousands of years. At first believed to be caused by angry gods punishing the people on Earth, we now know that a solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun and fully or partially covers the Sun. Ever since scientists were able to predict the next solar eclipse, people - at least the less superstitious ones - wanted to go there and see it for themselves.

This book, published in 1899, was written for potential spectators of the total eclipse of the Sun on May 28, 1900. It deals with the science behind solar eclipses and their prediction, and lists a number of known historic eclipses from antiquity to the 19th century. Also included are eclipses mentioned in books, strange customs surrounding the eclipses, and how best to watch one. (Summary by Ava) (7 hr 2 min)

Chapters

Preface and Introduction 7:10 Read by Availle
General Ideas 15:16 Read by Linda Olsen Fitak
The ''Saros'' and the Periodicity of Eclipses 34:04 Read by MaryAnn
Miscellaneous Theoretical Matters Connected With Eclipses of the Sun (Chiefly) 11:55 Read by Andrea Kotzer
What Is Observed During the Earlier Stages of an Eclipse of the Sun 24:03 Read by MaryAnn
What Is Observed During the Total Phase of an Eclipse of the Sun 22:13 Read by MaryAnn
What Is Observed After the Total Phase of an Eclipse is at an End 3:31 Read by MaryAnn
Eclipses of the Sun Mentioned in History - Chinese 18:10 Read by MaryAnn
Are Eclipses Alluded to in the Bible? 30:49 Read by MaryAnn
Eclipses of the Sun Mentioned in History - Classical 40:13 Read by John Carter
Eclipses of the Sun Mentioned in History - The Christian Era to the Norman Conq… 29:45 Read by Wayne Anderson
Eclipses of the Sun Mentioned in History - Mediaeval and Modern 25:00 Read by DrPGould
Eclipses of the Sun During the Nineteenth Century 26:53 Read by DrPGould
The Electric Telegraph as Applied to Eclipses of the Sun 15:27 Read by Linda Olsen Fitak
Eclipses of the Moon - General Principles 17:15 Read by Kathleen Moore
Eclipses of the Moon Mentioned in History 33:05 Read by Kathleen Moore
Catalogues of Eclipses: And Their Calculation 12:28 Read by Lynda Marie Neilson
Strange Eclipse Customs 10:45 Read by Linda Olsen Fitak
Eclipses in Shakespeare and the Poets 6:27 Read by Amelia Chesley
Brief Hints To Observers Of Eclipses Of the Sun 4:16 Read by Amelia Chesley
Transits and Occultations 6:32 Read by Lynda Marie Neilson
Appendix: The Total Eclipse of the Sun of May 28, 1900 27:24 Read by DrPGould