
4 0 c m
25cm
actual image size: 17cm x 32cm
Description
Broadsheet titled 'The Great Eclipse of the Sun'. This advertises the forthcoming solar eclipse on the 15 May 1836, visible from central Scotland and Northern England. The eclipse was not total, but rather annular so that a thin ring of the Sun's disc was seen at mid eclipse. The event was viewed by Mr Francis Bailey who saw beads of light just before and after the maximum stage of the eclipse. Known today as 'Bailey's Beads', they are caused by sunlight shining through lunar valleys. The paper also has an advertisement for W. Marshall's eclipse viewing spectacles. The safety of these eyeglases is questionable and reflects similar concerns expresed by British opticians at the time of 1999 eclipse.
Image Details
Image Ref.
10418947
© Science Museum / Science & Society Picture Library