Corona of the Sun during a Solar Eclipse
Usage Conditions Apply
The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. For commercial uses, please contact photos@si.edu.Summary
In 1900 the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, then based in Washington, D.C., loaded several railroad cars with scientific equipment and headed to Wadesboro, North Carolina. Scientists had determined that this small town would be the best location in North America for viewing an expected total solar eclipse, and the Smithsonian Solar Eclipse Expedition hoped to capture photographic proof of the solar corona during the event for further study. The team included Smithsonian photographer Thomas Smillie, who headed up the mission's photographic component. Smillie rigged cameras to seven telescopes and successfully made eight glass-plate negatives, ranging in size from eleven by fourteen inches to thirty by thirty inches. At the time, Smillie's work was considered an amazing photographic and scientific achievement.
Subject
- Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
- Smithsonian Solar Eclipse Expedition
Notes
- Also known as RU 7005 Box 186 Folder 1 [SPI_438]
- A high resolution digital copy of this image is not yet available. Please contact photos@si.edu for further information.
Cite as
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 7005, Box 186, Folder 1
Repository Loc.
Smithsonian Institution Archives Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520
Date
1900
Restrictions & Rights
- No access restrictions Many of SIA's holdings are located off-site, and advance notice is recommended to consult a collection. Please email the SIA Reference Team at osiaref@si.edu
- No Copyright - United States
Topic
Solar eclipses
Place
Wadesboro (N.C.)
Form/Genre
Black-and-white photographs
Local number
SIA RU007005 [SIA_007005_B186_F01_SPI_438]
Physical description
Gelatin silver prints;