But he seems to have been well cared for, and he was at the age of fourteen sufficiently advanced "in algebra, geometry, astronomy, and even the higher mathematics," to calculate a solar eclipse within four seconds of accuracy.
Attracted to astronomy by the solar eclipse of the 12th of May 1706, he obtained permission in 1710 to lodge in the dome of the Luxembourg, procured some instruments, and there observed the total eclipse of the 22nd of May 1724.
At the center of the image lies a glowing dark orb, which possibly represents a solar eclipse.
This will be the final total solar eclipse of the 20th century.
In 1860 De la Rue took the photoheliograph to Spain for the purpose of photographing the total solar eclipse which occurred on the 18th of July of that year.
