The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-02
THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.
Professor Proctor's Lecture Upon It-some
Unscientific Reflections Upon Venus.

Professor PrOctor's Lecture UDop It-some
Unscientihc Reflections Upon Venus.
Most people think they know something about
Venus and most poets, always excepting Topper,
eve MUCH 70 the Inspiration Of her imaginary pres
ence. Though ever ravishingly beautiful she al
ways has been cause Of trouble on earth. Ac-
cording to NEUROLOGICAL story, she early got
up row on Mount Ida, among her con-
temporary goddesses. Ever since she was
frst noticed transformed into planet in
the heavens she has compelled the most
ardent looks or staid astronomers to be fixed upon
her, and she has tormented the physicists with
coy reluctance to make herself fully known 10
them. Now she has made cause for disturbance
among her astronomical votares She is about TO
bathe in the glowing light OF the sun. Every
astronomer wants to see her do 1t, and as there
are two methods of noting all her abuuons there
Is controversy as to which Is the more proper.
me scientists are even jealous OF the sun, and as
venus Is to battle in his light they want to deter
mine just how far Old Sol will be from her at the
time Of the bathing.
Coming down to sober fact, Professor Proctor
lectured last evening at the Cooper Institute on
the subject Of "The Transit OF Venus Across the
SUMS Disk" His audience was very large. He
spoke clearly, as usual, and illustrated his mean
ings very successfully. The good results that are
likely to come from the observations to be
made OF the transit are easily understood;
put the circumstances that will operate
during the making or those observations are
more difficult OF explanation and comprehension
Mr.. Proctors lecture, after referring to the pur-
poses LOT closely observing the transit. dealt
NANNY with Inc methods OF observation. He said,
In substance, that the main thing to be deduced
rom the observations OF the planets actions is the
determination OF the distance of the sun from the
earth All ideas OF the dimensions OF the solar sys-
tenn depend upon this distance, which may be con-
visible universe. He then carefully reviewed and
Illustrated by means Of charts the methods
devised na by HALEY the pupil Of Sir Alexander New
tOn, and DE Lsle French astronomer, ior OBJ
serving the transit ana Tor solving the problem OF
the suns distance. De Lsles method necestates
ton from which the transit is observed. some OF
me PAGES 1nat astronomical parties are to visit
necessary TO prove u their an situations "0 could
not be spent upon them. The astronomers
could not reside upon them throughout a year ana
TO certainly ascertain their longitude might occupy
more than that length OF time. For this reason
Professor Proctor prefers Haley's method to be
Royal OF England clings to De Lise's device, and
the English observers VIII make use oil 1t,
Halley's method. There are a'' other methods DDS
SUMS distance. They have already been applied to
next December, are simply to verify their result.
professor Proctor then spoke OF the difficulties
that It Is known Venus will throw before her
observers. The utmost care will be needed to
determine the exact time when the planet
win then 50 wabble as to one change her
shape, and appear to observers as a Jagged and
gyratory mass. This difficulty win be in measure
Obviated in the case OF American observers. At
the observatory in Washington there Is an appa-
ratus designed to show the alterations OF Venus,
and to famiarize the student with them, SO that
their visions will be but little affected when the
phenomena are themselves seen. The lecturer
ended ms discourse with the exhibition OF series
OF charts by means OF stereOscope. On these
were indicated the course OF Venus across the
sun and the direction Of the shadow that will be
projected upon the earth by the planet.
During his lecture and towards It's emu Professor
Proctor made several explanations OF his personal
action IN reference to the observing of the coming
transit He had made himself prominent he said,
In opposing the ideas OF such scientist as the
Astronomer Royal of England simply out OF
knowledge or the great importance OF the coming
phenomenon and desire to secure accurate I'M
preSsi0ns OF 1t. For no other cause had he done
So He referred to the charge that he had
tnsulted the Board OF Admiralty by making
o map on which an island referred to thus -
'This island may be regarded as q reality or q
myth, as may be most convenient" AS the island
was marked upon maps approved by the Ad-
tion was direct insult to II. The matter having
occurred since he has been in this country Pro-
lessor Proctor says he has had no opportunity OF
explaining that the comment upon the island was
only q broad joke made upon the Admlraty's
action In approving OF Possession Island as q good
place for party from which TO observe the Transit
and In withdrawing that approval when he had
asked for o party to be sent to the island