[Astronomical camp at Desierto de Las Palmas, Spain photograph, 1860]

INAF – Rome Astronomical Observatory, Hystorica Archive

Secchi was one of the first astronomers to make use of photography. In 1860, during the total solar eclipse observed in Spain, he was able to take shots of the totality phase. The comparison between his photographs and those taken by Warren de la Rue at the far away station of Rivabellosa, unequivocally indicated that prominences are solar phenomena and not optical effects. The present photograph shows the astronomical camp at Desierto de Las Palmas, where Secchi worked, the people and instruments involved, as jotted by Secchi himself in his notes. The Jesuit astronomer can be seen in the central position, indicated by the letter c. [i.c.]

Bibl.: Secchi 1860; Calisi in Chinnici (ed.) 2009, p. 73.