SEVENTY years ago this week the people of Lancaster were treated to an eight second spectacle of nature that most people are lucky to see in a lifetime. On June 29, 1927, dawn came twice to the city when thousands turned out to see a total eclipse of the sun. Research by Morecambe astrologer, Peter Wade, has revealed how the event drew huge crowds with the Astronomer Royal, Sir Frank Dyson, travelling to Giggleswick School to make his observations.

The early morning eclipse was visible from Lancaster, Overton and Sunderland Point, while Morecambe and Heysham had to make do with a partial eclipse.

"Crowds gathered at Sunderland Point and in Overton churchyard - the Vicar, Rev. Rubie, even praised the crowd for their tidiness - while on Torrisholme Barrow 600 people gathered," said Peter.

Lancaster's Greg Observatory was itself eclipsed by the shadow of Ashton Memorial at the critical time so the curator, James Dowbiggin, set up a portable telescope elsewhere in Williamson Park to view the eclipse. He was joined by a large crowd who saw the 'solar corona' in the hazy, early morning light.

"Lancaster lay at the Northern edge of the 50km wide track of the eclipse which cut across North West Wales and Northern England. The centre of the track lasted for 23 seconds at Southport, where a quarter of a million visitors enjoyed an all-night carnival beforehand. Those watching would have felt cold and the sky would have gone a dark, deep blue. During the eclipse the birds go quiet and there is another dawn chorus's when the sun reappears."

On August 11, 1999, Lancaster and Morecambe will be treated to a 90 per cent eclipse of the sun. Added Peter: "It won't go obviously dark but the sunlight will fall through the trees in crescent shapes. You could use a welding mask to watch what's going on or catch the reflection through a hole in a piece of card."

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