The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-29

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ASTRONOMICAL OBsERvATIoNs.-The following
extract from President Sparks's annual report TO
the overseers of Harvard College, will show what
has been done in the observatory during the last
year, and the important agency Of that institution
be recolected that the telescope is Of the
lnrPest in the world, il being OF the same dimen-
slons as the great telescope at the Observatory Of
Pulcova, in Russia, which is the first OF the kind
in Europe -" The same activity and success have
been manifested at the observatory which have
heretofore appeared in that establishment. The
great refracting telescope continues TO justify the
sangune anticipations originally formed of Its su-
perior power and admirable construction Re-
gsrding this observatory as acting in cooperation
with others in various parts Of the globe, for the
promotion OF astronomical science, the director has
wisely adopted method of proceeding by which
his observations have been directed TO new and
UNEMPLOYED objects, rather than 10 the task OF re-
peatng or verifying what has already been done.
The nebulG, which appear as dim patches OF light
through ordinary instruments are separated by the
great refracor Into brilliant clusters of stars, with
their positions and various magnitudes distinctly
defined that they may be easily transferred 10 map.
TIE success Of The director.n deneating the beau
uful and remarkable nebula IN Orion, is well known
10 astronomers, and he has been for some time en-
ployed upon another cluster scarcely less remarka
BILE in the constellation Of Hercules. The measure
ment OF double stars, and the close inspection OF
the planets and OF comets, when in positions not TO
be reached by common instruments, have likewise
called into use the powers OF the great telescope.
Three new stars have been discovered, during
the past year, in the neighborhood OF the Trapez-
um, IN the nebula Of OrioDs and also variable
star, which appears and disappears at intervals of
few weeks; but the observations have not, as yet,
been sufficiently numerous 10 furnish data for
pertaining accurately its period. The great tele-
scope has also revealed 10 the searching eye OF the
observer, third and interior ring of Saturn, which
had escaped the power OF all other instruments.
The indefatgable ana skIlful labors Of the assist
ant observer, MIR. George 7. Bond, enabled him
TO detect two new comets, one in May, and the
other in August, before either OF them had been
seen in Europe. Special attention has been given
TO the accurate adjustment of ume-keepers, by
observing the transits Of stars over the meridian,
aided by the long experience of the director in this
branch Of mechanical science. BY specific ar
ranRement, made for that purpose, the motion OF
every railroad car in the commonwealth is r.gulat-
ed by the time al the Observatory. The vast
benefit thus conferred on the public will be at on ce
recognized, when IL lie considered how much human
life often depends on the accuracy and uniformity
roads are directed. An important accessory to the
Observatory Is apparatus Tor applying the electro
magnetic communication TO astronomical purposes
Telegraphic wires extending from the Observatory
and connecting with the great lines OF teegraphs
convey the result OF an observation insantaneously
% an observer al a remote place, thus atiordinp
the means Of an immediate and precise comparison
Of time. by this process the differences Of long
tude ascertained with the stest exacness,
attainment OF the utmost importance in periectine
the art Of navigation, and in all geodetic measure
ments."