John Nevil Maskelyne & the First Movie of a Solar Eclipse
June 2021 :
Most astronomy lovers are probably beginning to count the years (or days) until the next U.S. solar eclipse; we’re fortunate, though, that there are two coming up within the next few years: The 2023 annular eclipse that will travel from Oregon to Texas, and continue downward. And, then, of course, the one that we’re all waiting for – 2024, that will create another path through the U.S. from Texas on up, actually passing through (at approximately 90% partiality) northern New England. Even now, those who will be photographing the beautiful events are going through their equipment, wondering what will suffice, or needs to be replaced.
Although we don’t hear as many filming an eclipse, apparently the concept has been around for awhile, over a century, in fact. The first to do so was John Nevil Maskelyne. I’m sure many of you have never heard of him, as he wasn’t an astronomer; or a scientist, by any means. Maskelyne was a magician, an illusionist, who, as a young man, while watching the Davenport brothers’ spirit cabinet stage performance, showed the audience how it was done. From there, he spent the rest of his life as a professional magician, becoming a member of the Magic Circle, an organization dedicated to the art and entertainment of magic and illusion. His book, Sharps and Flats, was the definitive gambling book, showing all the ins and outs of cheating at cards.
From his interests in magic and illusion, Maskelyne did become very interested in science, especially astronomy, and the early art of videography. He joined the Royal Astronomical Society, and convinced the members of the possibility of filming a solar eclipse. He succeeded, traveling to North Carolina for the 1900 total solar eclipse. It is said he also filmed the eclipse of 1898, in India, but that film can was stolen, and never retrieved. It is believed this 1900 work is his only surviving film.
Because of its historic nature, the British Film Institute has taken great pains to restore Maskelyne’s work. Its one minute and nine second images may not seem much to photographers today, but for the 19th century, this is a classic.
