He suffered a heart attack while returning from an eclipse expedition in Sudan and died on 2 April 1952, at the age of 55.

It was the first eclipse expedition in which a spectroscope was used.

Also that year, he participated in what would be the first of three eclipse expeditions in his lifetime.

The Spanish astronomer was part of the first solar eclipse expeditions.

He participated in his final eclipse expedition to the Arctic Circle nearly 50 years later.

In 1900, he took what would be for him the first of ten eclipse expeditions.

In 1893, however, the fellowship funds were re-committed to an eclipse expedition to Chile, so he had to depart.

He also participated in three eclipse expeditions, but only enjoyed clear seeing conditions on the last (1925).

He joined five observatory solar eclipse expeditions, and directed two of these.

He also took part in four eclipse expeditions, and a magnetic survey of the British Isles.