The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-24
Remarks.
THE PARTY AT VAN DIEMENS LAND.


REPORT OF PROFESSOR 9. W. RAYMOND.
CAMPBELL Town, Tasmania, Dec. Is, 1874.
Professor SIMON NEwcoNB, United States Navy,
washington, D. c.
MY DEAR SIR know you will DO anxious to
hear in detail the results OF our observations at
this observatory, so write without delay by It
steamer that leaves Hobart Town. I have not
thought 1t necessary TO make any ofical report to
the Admiral at this early day. Tails letter will give
you all the Information concerning our doings
which you will require, and the report can be put
In better shape after my return. for Just at pres
ent we are very busy closing up our work.
Contrary to our expectations which were
founded on meteorological records and all the in.
formation We could obtain, we have had very
bad season here for our work. Nevertheless, as
far as preparatory WORK is concerned, I think you
will find we have done everything you expected.
My observatory was got in perfect working order
at an early day and has been kept so to this time.
Up to the day of transit we had frequent drills.
and when We could not get the sun. as was often
the case, frequently drilled without him. We had
our last drill with the sun on Monday. December
I. The weather was partly cloudy and hszy, but ile
Gun shone out brightly at short intervals through.
out the day, and We had a very thorough drill in.
deed. taking many good photographs, including
contact pictures. On Tuesday, December g. it
was cloudy all day. The sun was not seen. The
DAY was spent in completing the necessary prop
aratlons and in reading and explaining fnally
the instructions OF the Commission and my own
general order for the gay.
MAKING READY FOR THE GREAT DAY.
The Say was watched all night IN order to take
advantage vi any sudden break that might occur
strument but no stars were seen. In the morn
Ing the sky was full OF rain Clouds the wind blow
assembled at the observatory at halI:past seven
O'Clock A. NJ, In accordance with orders, 1t was
The storm gradually Increased, until the rain
poured In torrents. Occasionally disan. thunder
was heard; My orders Tor the day were never
chronometers were compared and put in their
proper places. The electrical connections were
ali examined and the contacts made good, and the
chronograph was put III circuit. Or course the
adjustments OF the Photographic telescope could
not be examined or the errors measured, but this
was uone Immediately after the transit. other.
wise everything was done as 1t would have been
done II the day had been fair.
Thirty minutes before the computed time OF first
contact | took my place with my volunteer aid,
equatorial was SET Tor the planet at frst con,
tact and at the chronOmeter time Of computed
first contact the cockwork was set in motion.
the members OF the Photographic corps took their
station IN the Photographic house at eleven A. NJ.
In accordance with orders, and stood silently at
lessy outside. Mr.. Tittman could not put up the
small telescope in the open air, as was intended
He therefore superlntended the arrangements
generally outside the equatorial rouse.
GLIMPSE CAUGHT AT LAST.
ceased and the sun appeared shining dimiy
through the clouds. ] instantly threw open the
the the edae Of aed sau
but wen beyond second contact. then made an
s%p Venus aaa the the of light
the SUMS limb, but without much sue.
cess, probably on account OF the heavy
clouds which were continually drifting across the
sun. At about one T. NJ a violent storm OF wind
anu ram commenced, and operations temporarily
ceased. In the Photographic house operations
were commenced, under Mr.. rttmanis super
vision, as soon as practicable alter The appearance
o the sun. When the rain ceased the heliostat
lusted ana set IN motion, and few photographs
We're taken by watching Tor opportunities through
two O'Clock the storm ceased ana the sky
eareI ,'e again CUTE num9er Of
at TINS time, although the sun only
visible at intervals. Tne pnotoeraphing was re.
tlnucd tbroughout the day whenever the sun was
visible. observed the third contact at the equa.
torial. About the time OF contact light clouds
were drl,ttng over the sun and planet. The planet
seemed to me to gradually assume the pear shape.
limb at or near time OF contact was observed.
The suns limb was much agltated The phcnom-
ena at contact seemed very much like those OBJ
served with the artificial transit at Washington,
but tne uncertainty seemed greater apparently
on account OF the agita ton OF the suns limb,
Tue cloudy link between the planet and suns
imb Just before contact seemed much more con.
fused.
RESULTS OF THEIR LABoRs.
During the day we OBTAINED So full sized photo
graphs and II Janssens between third aud fourth
contact The iull sized photographs are nearly all
good. although they were all taken through holes
In the clouds. few OF them looK as though they
mad been sat on when they we're damp. Our
Jansen apparatus worked first rate at drill We
had perfected 1t and the drill to such an extent
tnat We could nave easily taken $50 pictures win
II on clear day between first and second contacts
we nave run OF single plates OF Janssens AT apouJ
an average OF Is. Tor each picture, and rve plates
az ~ average OF ABOUT 2s for eacn picture, in.
GUIDING changes OF plates and all delays mad no
Intention OF running the Janssens OF lrst contact
longer IRAN about lom., however, wnich would