Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-12-04
ASTRoN MICAL.

Observatory, Washington under orders of the honorable
Secretary Of The Nary dated august I3h 1885, by Lieut.
| J. NJ GMs, u s. A. Printed By order Of The Senate
of the UIiited States
This, in many respects remarkable and instructive book
its preface with these words .sThe following
pages presented the astronomical public with great
Difference not that presume them with even the
least highly valuable contributions L, science annually ea
mating from observaiores Of the old world"
&c. If thus modesy positively proper criticism or
review is declined, notice Of and friendly greeting
markable literary production, presume, intended
TO have been excluded and such sautaon the volume will
certainly receive from the old world The latter may here
how the observations at temporary observatory for few
years have been the by which great noble scen
fc institution has been erected from which expectations
of the best results may be confidently entertained.
We learn from the AstronomSche Nachrichten No. SIT,
that the observatory completed the gath August
1874 of the particulars Of its construction $50 far as the
ter know nothing has yet been published and is there
fore the more satisfactory that the reader may this volume
perceive germs OF the creation gradually growing under
his eyes More especially will this proof of the advance
Of science in the United States excite lively interest in Ger
many, there is scarcely family which has not some rela-
ton who has made it his second fatherland.
But the book fail inspire the reader with great
respect for the authors for though scientific merits ord-
nary measured by the magnitude of the results
tained yet rule SO exclusively applied gives necessarily
limited and detective view of subject consequent, all
umPhs be- themagntude Of the obstacles which had
to be because Undoubtedly requires more courage
perseverance, and combat them for the sake Of
what may thereafter prove aankess than gather aures
from path of science opened pioneer and unobsucted
Although author obtained be good fortune have his
efforts acknowledged and strongly supported by his Govern
men he certainly had to conqu many and great obstacles
+ lac1x ka Al, y
alluded.
On the 18th August 1888, he received orders observe
.culminaons the purpose asceraining differences
of longitude with expedition for ienfc purposes then
about leaving the country. Unprepsed, without literary
of assistance charged with the performance of his
gna duties throughout the whole PERIOD and obliged
side at the distance of three miles Gan hou from the place
observation during the nst nine months he was compelled to
commence his task an defective structure of wood which
had to undergo the annoying
the beginning permit making observations Of the moon at
its different decnaons and in which one-seventh of the fun
damenta stars of the Nautical Almanac remained still iny
BILE with his transit instrument These alterations had also
become indispensable to the protection of the instruments from
bad weather Nor these instruments by any means the
most desirable.
trans, instrument (Which had been borowed) of five
feet focal length would exhibit stars of the and third
magnitude only hour after and before the rising and set.
ting of the and hence and Ursn MINORS could
rarely be made Of fhe first of these observed
the meridian twelve times in four years, and the latter if
teen tmes On account of great iegulay in its going the
clock had be discarded after the first year. and chronome
ter temporarily substituted These with Circle of Borla
portable transit instrument and half feet tees
COPE which also have borrowed were all the
movable instruments the author found.
With such MEANS after observing the solar eclipse of Sep
TENDER s, 1885, the 2st November of the same year he
commenced series of observations Of right that was
continued uninteuptedy the 30th June. 1892 and the
particulars of which are contained in this volume.
is truly pleasure observe how the author endeavors
during the prosecution of his labor each occurring
difficulty; how, the commencement he assigns himself
greater tasks than his instructions call for and than
all how he loses sight of the main object but proposes
udicousy the authorities the erection of permanent
observatory Of the first rank, and whose building appears
have been commenced under his charge in ls43 See pre-
face page A. The author himself (page 3) it
crowning result" though Mr.. Hasse in his report of De-
ceber p ls4 (Astronomische Nachrchen, No 49, page
1851 whilst deemng the establishment of such permanent
institution very remote yet strongly urged Gas of the
requisite tools for a nation having navy"
Besides the fourteen feet telescope mentioned in No. SIT
Astronomschc Nachchcn, according to the statements of
the present volume, pages s. 49, and ID there is meridian
circle astronomical CLOCKS Dy Parkinson ~
Frodsham, Rechenhach circle of ten inches, and paal-
acticay mounted telescope Of forywo inches focal length
by Smms.
One assistant in the reduction Of the observations before
appointed in the Of ls43 and second in Sep
tember, l845
The author began with critical exactness, and states in page
that the which first induced him extend his OBJ
servaons beyond those prescribed by his Instructions the
differences found between the moonculmnatng and unda
mental stars Of the Nautical Almanac He first obtain
ed the catalogue Of the Astronomical Society," and determined
to observe many possible in the time intervening
between the first and last lunar stars taking particular notice
of their magnitude at the tme that whilst be effect
ed his principal task he might also contribute to knowledge
Of the right ascensions and magnues of the smaller stars
The approximate altitude Of the pole at the place of obser
cation is assumed from twelve crcum meridian observations
Of fixed to be $50 So 32 s.. The longitude derived
from mm. and 10 emers. Of compared with obseya
tons other places in the United States and meridian obser
vaons at Greenwich from the solar eclipse Of 1888, and
the disappearance of observed also Phade
pha, given 5h 0sm. 0is6. The first of these elements
will probably hsve been determined with greater accuracy by
this Time with the meridian circle, and for the latter the
regularly current observations Of OCCUPATIONS at European Oh
servatoe at Altoona, will further certainty be given. In
deed with the rapidly increasing progress Of steam naviga
ton cannot bciegarded visionary to believe that Washing
ton will yet be connected with European obsevoorcs ty
similar those recently undertaken