The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-02
THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.
Extensive Preparation. for Its ObservstIO

Extensive Preparations for its Observation
In Germany.
DIR. Drechsler, of Dresden, recently de-
livered a lecture in that city on the prepara-
tions in Germany for the observation of the
transit of Venus in 1874. He said that the
North German Government selected last year
q commission of astronomers to take prepara-
tory steps, and to report an estimate of the
cost of the undertaking. This commission
consisted of the astronomers Hansen, of
Gotha; Argelander, of Bonn; Paschen,
of Schwerin; Bruins, of Leipsic Forster,
of Berlin; Anwers, of Gotha; and Winnecke,
in Carlsruhe. The commission held five
sittings in Berlin, from the 25th to the 29th
of October last, under the presidency of Pro-
fessor Hansen. The director of the st.
Petersburg Observatory, Professor Struve,
was invited to attend the discussions, in
order to come to an understanding about the
place of observation to be chosen by Russia;
as we'll as Professor Dove for the discussion
of meteorological relations, and Professor
Zollner in reference to spectroscopic obser-
vations. -Four places are proposed for OBJ
serving the transit, two of which are upon
the northern and two upon the southern
hemisphere. and each as far removed in lon
gitude as possible for correct observation
The first named are in the neighborhood of
the east coast of Asia, in or near Japan; the
latter upon the islands between the Cape of
Good Hope and New Zealand. AS regards
the methods of observation the following
were proposed:--1, heliometrical measure
ments; 9 determination of the ingress and
egress; 3, Photographic and spectroscopic
surveys. 1t is also proposed that the expedi-
tions shall be used for further astronomical
researches, for Photographic, magnetic, me-
teorological and pendulum observations, as
well as for scientific purposes in general.
Each expedition will consist of two astrono-
mers, two technical assistants, a photogra-
pher, and servant. The following instru-
ments were adduced as requisite for the OBJ
servations:-H instruments for me-
teorological observations, spectroscopic and
Photographic apparatus.
The commission elected the astronomers
Anwers, Bruins, Forster, and Winnecke to
make out an estimate of the costs of the ex-
peditions. They have since handed in their
report to the Government. The costs, taking
into account the fact that portion of the in
struments will be borrowed, fall into three
rubrics:-1. Costs OF the astronomical outfit;
9. Personal costs; 3. Costs of transportation
If the North German marine undertake the
transportation and protection, the cost of the
four expeditions will be about fifty-eight
thousand thalers but if the vessels for trans
portation have to be hired, the cost will be
one hundred and nineteen thousand thalers
1t is also brought into account that great
portion of the costs will serve for the obser-
vation of the transit to occur in 1882. Both
opportunities must be used, since the next
following transit of Venus does not take
place until the year 2004. 1t is expected that
the Reichstag will grant the funds necessary
for the undertaking, as much for the honor
of Germany as for the advancement of
science.