The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-08-07
But onward still,
The Transit Of Venus.

The whole astronomical world is pre-
pairing to observe this coming event. The
interest manifested by all the civilized
nations in the matter is a great tribute
10 the onward march of science The
planets Venus and the earth revolve
about the sun at such distances and pe-
riods that at certain times, which sell
ence teaches us to predict with precision,
the former may be seen as q small, black
dot on the suns disc as seen from the
earth. The distance Of Venus from the
sun is $500, GOO miles, and according to
observations made on the last transit in
1863, the distance of the earth from the
sun Was estimated at 95,0O0,OOO miles,
and Is the distance now given in our
school books. But by rediscussion OF
the observations of 1863 by Encke, Stone,
and NewcOmb, the earth's distance has
been reduced to 9l,70O,OOO miles. The
great and leading problem involved in
this observation is 10 determine the true
distance OF the earth from the sun. UDon
this distance principally depend all our
astronomical calculations. IL is not, as
some suppose, TO satisfy mere curiosity,
or 10 exalt some astronomers reputa-
ton. The great and perhaps the most
important use Is for the mariner to de-
termine his longitude at sea. He uses
this distance as his measuring rod as
does the surveyor his chain. We cannot
know the SUMS bulk or weight until we
learn its true distance. We must learn
II more exactly in order to perfect the
lunar and planetary tables needed for
navigation, and for the geographical
positions of places on land as well rs at
sea.
The fact that but one more oppportu-
nifty will be afforded i'm the next huud-
red years for observing a transit has
aroused the scientific world to the i'm
portance OF improving the coming OPP
portunity. The United States seem to
be taking the lead. The corps of Amer
lean observers have been made up, and
some of them already embarked from
New York for their respective stations.
There are five of these parties. The first
will be in charge Of Captain Raymond,
United States Army, and will be sta
toned in the Crozet Islands, in the H.
dian Ocean; the second will be in charge
of Lieutenant Commander Ryan, of the
Navy, and will be stationed at kergue-
len Islands, Southern Ocean; the third
VIII be in charge Of Professor Harkness,
OF The Naval Observatory, and will be
stationed at Hobert Town, Tasmania;
The fourth will be in charge of Professor
Peters, OF Clinton College, New York,
and Will be stationed at New Zealand in
the Southern Pacific; and the fifth will
he IN charge OF Professor Smith, of the
Coast Survey, and will be stationed at
Chatham Island, i'm the Southern Pa
ciiic. The other three parties will be
stationed in northern latitude. The
first, in charge of Professor Hall, of the
Naval Observatory, will be stationed at
WladinOtOsk, Siberia; the second, in
charge Of Professor Watson, of Ann Ar
bor, Michigan, at Pekin; and the third,
ia charge of Professor Davidson, of the
Coast Survey, at IOkahama. Each sta
tiOn is TO consist Of "A chief astronomer
and an assistant, and photographer
aud two assistants, thus making forty
in Chicago Inter Ocean.