New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-21
he mapping out of our Western Territories is pos

the mapping ont OF our w estern Aelhfsut0" 10 Po'
sible.
The time has now come when neither the labors
nor Tire system Of the past can any longer satisfy the
rtx,ui,eme nts Of mathematical astronomy. The art
of making and reducing observations has made
enormous strides during the last 80 years, so that We
can now Goduce from the observations of a hundred
wears ago results OF n degree of accuracy which even
the men who made the observations would never
have thought Of attaining. New mathematical meth
DDS have been invented so that the M6driqe Celeste
though immortal as work of human genius. is IN
many respects antquated as manual of theoretical
astronomy. The work necessary to bring the latter
to state of perfection corresponding to that OF pTac
ficai astronomy may be divided into several depart
incnts
o. First comes the purely mathematical work OF
rewriting Celestial Mechanics, and putting IT into
shape for practical application Since Lapaco many
new theorems have been discovered and new methods
invented. but these have never been welded into a
homogeneous whole. If this could only be done ny
the unaided labor of single person, money could do
nothing TO help it on for, as already shown Inc
services OF the geometer cannot he purchased IN the
market But. TO do the work thoroughly and prop
elly within a reasonable period, the geometer should
have the services of at least assistant, III work
ING ont many long and complex computations when
services shcud be paid for.
t2) The application of the methods TINS developed
in celestial mechanics TO the actual cases OF the mo
ions of the planets. Here several paid calculations
of more or less skill and some organization arc re-
quired.
| (}. Tho re-reducton Of most of the old observa-
tons, using the improved methods and data OF the
present time. We should thus have at our disposal
for comparison much more exact series OF observed
positions of the heavenly bodies in times past than
| are sttsinahle.
l4l An exact and exhaustive determination Of the
several constants of astronomy for use in calculation
and fables Of al kinds. Much trouble and confusion
now arises from the fact that different nations,
different obscrvatories, and different astronomers
now use different values Of such elements as the
para'lax of the SIM, the of the planets, the
velocity Of light the dianetcIs Of the sun and moon,
etc Determinations of such constants, founded on
! al the observations available, would probably DO
adopted by the whole astronomical world
| 81 The determination of the exact elements of
the Planets and the construction Of planetary tables
and catalogues of stars would be the necessary
continuation of the works described in order that
! their full measure Of utility should be secnred.
| should like 10 see some of the money now de-
voted 10 the foundation of obseryatoicS applied TO
some or all Of the objects which have described.
| Though necessary TO the final utilization OF very
large class of astronomical observations the opera
lions Of calculation are nearly everywhere neg
| lectcd. To have the name Of donor and promoter
connected with such works would he esteemed by
the world of science as high an honor to have it
connected with the foundation OF an ohserva-
tory The income from the capital ofleD PM into an
observatory and inst rumenfs would 90 vevy lar TO-
ward carrying on all the works | have described,
and would amply suffice for the first two, which adj
NIT Of being executed separately from the rest.
Hoping that these suggestions will not he deemed
inpertnert and will receive the kindly cOnsidcIa-
| ton of your readers, remain, &c,
SIMON NEwCoMD.