forty three
minutes past eleven
Gradually the sun rose above the horizon , describing an extended arc above the vast plain stretching away to the south . No one spoke , but awaited the eclipse in solemn silence . Towards half-past nine the eclipse commenced The disc of the moon seemed to graze that of the sun . But the moon 's shadow was not to fall completely on the earth , hiding the sun , until between forty three minutes past eleven and forty-seven minutes fifty-seven seconds past eleven . That was the time fixed in the almanacs , and every one knows that no error can creep into them , established , verified , and controlled as they are by the scientific men of all the observatories in the world . The astronomer had brought a good many glasses with him , and he distributed them amongst his companions , that all might watch the progress of the phenomenon without injury to the eyes . The brown disc of the moon gradually advanced , and terrestrial objects began to assume a peculiar orange hue , whilst the atmosphere on tire zenith completely changed colour .