Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-30
ASTRONOMICAL.

we insert below the copy OF portion OF letter
from DR.. GERLING to Lieut.. GILLIss. explanatory
| OF an unintentional omission made by him in the
communication published in this paper on the Goth
OF July last. scientific friend expresses the hope
that American astronomers, for whose immediate
benefit 1t was made known, are now avag them
selves OF the method pointed out to give MS better
knowledge OF the true dimensions OF our system !;
and we take the occasion to add that any article of
such general interest from the pen of astronomer
so distinguished and scholar so erudite as DR..
GERLlNe will always be welcome to our columns.
MARnunG, (IN KuRHEssEs,) SEPT. 2, Is47.
ESTEEMED FRIESD: Your friendly letter Of July 18th
replied to on the 18th August sending you at the same time
copy OF review which have made Of your valuable books
and DIPLOMA, DC. for you, entrusted to me by the Ins
tue all which, making oerable package, forwarded
through Dr. Flge Lepsic. Since then have received
yours OF the 18th July and at sit down to
by post
First tender you my thanks for the interest with which
you have taken up my views concerning the observations Of
Venus and for the effective in which you have under
taken to make the plan known in the United States. The
article in the National Integencer No lo733) expresses
my ideas thoroughly, you will probably have in the
more complete essay Astononsce Nachrcten, No. $500
which has this reached you
regret to observe that neglected express in my pa
per the reasons why deem necessary that the small
used for mcrometca comparisons should be selected
early PERIOD and that they should be Observed oe the seec
ton being by of the Berlin Academy charts.
Though regarded the obvious became aware too
late that they should have been distinctly Indicated and not
have been passed over in silence.
If mcrometrcal shall prove of real utility,
is manifesy necessary that the point of the heavens
which they refer should be determined nearly possible
c. asceraned by meridian observations. This only be
effected if the small undergo each period and
curate determinations of their right and decnato
by comparison with neghborng Fundamental stars and
pecialy so the Fundamental which the stimuli
taneous meridian observations of the planet referred
Thas suppose all observations lS47 should be referred
to Virgins and Leonis and those of lS49 to TaIr and
Arets) But, the small stafs being invisible from day
gh at the period when the observations made Venus
there necessarily be reduction observations
of another epoch and therefore, eliminate the viatng eff
ect Of properoon absolutely essential that there be
for reference observations of years. which the
only with those contained in the Histoire celeste" Bes-
seIs zones" sc.
As to your proposition &C. = :, am in the
highest degree reoced it. consider the undertaking
exceedingly useful to the scientific world and persuaded
that all the astronomers whom, with your permission
shall very communicate it, will unite with in salts
faction and in pronouncng plan excellent and commend
able. Nor have doubt that your Government will approve
and strongly support with necessary MEANS there
but opinion both sides of the Atlantic that such
undertaking will be Of historical importance, alike honorable
TO the country whence it emanaes to the who
carries it out.
Respecting its Details you have solicited my views
very friendly manner beg leave make The following
marks
In my paper published in the "Asronomische Nachchten
No. 500, the following corrections necessary
Page 367, last line, (x) Arets should read {, (Zeta
Page 36s, line 6, has been omitted, which sup
ply follows GAS the will fall on the 22d April
the observations of the stationary evening will be OBJ
structed by moonlight"
With great esteem and friendship,
GERLING.
Lieut.. ]. NJ. GILr1ss, U. S, N, Washington.