During the several nights of viewing, the lenses are rotated and moved in every direction. After numerous tests the lenses are found to be of high quality. Keeler finds the objective glass to be equal to Lick's in every way, and better than Lick's in clarity and brightness of image. Flexure would be a slight bowing of the glass due to its size, weight, and the pressure needed to hold the heavy glass in place. On the 31st, Yerkes writes to Hale of his pleasure at learning that the 40-inch lenses are so perfect.
Construction closes for the winter.
Note that the entry way in the center of the building is not yet completed and that the entire building is encased in wooden scaffolding. In both of these pictures you can see a black and white dog. This dog is Hale's dog Sirius, named after the dog star. Go back to the Virtual Museum home page . Last updated April 2, 1997.