eclipse: 1878
The total eclipse was visible as far south as Cuba; in Jamaica the eclipse was partial
1871/1878
Jules Janssen (France) notices that the shape of the corona changes with the sunspot cycle. At sunspot maximum, the corona is rounder (1871); at sunspot minimum, the corona is more equatorial (1878). This discovery is the most convincing evidence that the corona is part of the Sun
1878 July 29
Height of search for intra-Mercurial planet Vulcan using eclipses to block the Sun. Several observers claim sightings, but they were never confirmed. The problem is finally resolved by Einstein in his general theory of relativity in 1916
1878 July 29
Samuel P. Langley and Cleveland Abbe (United States), observing from Pike's Peak in Colorado, and Simon Newcomb (United States), observing from Wyoming, notice coronal streamers extending more than 6 degrees from the Sun along the ecliptic and suggest that this glow is the origin of the zodiacal light
Daily Gleaner, July 31, 1878
August 24, 1878
. . . and don't forget the shades!
Daily Gleaner, July 31, 1878
lights in the sky
