The Hawaiian gazette., 1875-01-06
INC TrnnsIt Of venus.

Up to December 10, kilograms had been re-
ceived at the Greenwich Observatory, London,
from Egypt, China, Japan, Australia, Russian
Asia and India; and at most of the Stations
heard from, the astronomers had been success
full in obtaining good observations of the tran
sit. In Egypt and India very fine photographs
were secured. At Calcutta over 100 photo
graphs were taken. The observations through
out Russian Asia, were all, OF nearly all, fail
dres, owing to the sun having been observed.
We subjoin the various reports received up to
the latest date;
NEW YORK, December 9th.-The following des-
patch to the Herald from Prof Davidson, Chief As
tronomer Of the American Expedition:
NAeAsAKI, December Sth.-During our ohserva-
lions Of the transit of Venus to-day the weather
very cloudy and unpromisiug. The time at which
1t was calculated that the transit would begin passed
away without our being able 10 record the exact
moment Of the transit and Of the first contact Of
rules After about quarter Of an hour, and before
Venus reached the state OF her second contact the
observer at the equatorial caught glimpse of the
sun planet, aud was successful In taking several
measurements of planets.
During the interval between the first aud second
contacts tie time at which the latter contact occur
red was obtained with success and duly recorded
Shortly after the second contact further measure
ments of distance between Venus and the Suns
western edge were made with the micrometer. In
all there were taken $50 micrometric measurements
of the line between Cuspus. Besides these, three
mcrometrical observations were made on both
edges of the the meridian of Saturn, and
similar views Of the right and eft edges Of Venus
in crossing the same line.
Eighteen micrometic surveys were made Of the
respective dellneaton Of the sun and planet by OBJ
serving both the upper and lower limbs while on
the passage of the meridian, and about sixty excel
lent photographs Of the transit during the various
periods of its occurrence, were taken. Extreme
good fortune attended the astronomers, for just as
Venus departed from the SUM- clouds began TO gather
and threatened nin. Toward the close of Novem-
Der we were enabled to telegraph the difference OF
longitude TO Madiyistock, SO that the location Of
position here is definitely determined. At the latest
accounts from Prof Hall his party were all well.
Members stationed here are IN the best Of health.
vALDEsTox, December 9lh.-We have just con-
cluded our observations OF the transit Of Venus.
The morning was dull and hazy.
LONDON, December 9th. kilograms received OF
the Greenwich Observatory from India, this after
uoon announce that the observations of the transit
Of Venus were successful Over 100 photographs
were taken.
LONDON, December 9th.-Observations Of the
transit of Venus were taken at Cairo and suez
Photographic observations at Thebes were perfectly
successful. At shanghae the weather was overcast
aud the sun obscured.
LONDON, December 10th. kilograms in regard to
the transit of Venus report that observations failed
in onenburg, Rason, Aralask, Astrachan, Kerteh
and Tiiis, but were entirely successful at Yokoha
ma, The following despatch received from
Cairo, Egypt, relative to the Transit: few min
utes prior TO the contact longitude was reestabllsh
ed through telegraph signals with Greenwich All
observations successful at central stations at
Mokotan Heights, aud at branch stations at Suez
and Thebes.
The Times in editorial, says the telegram which
We are enabled to publish from Nagasaki, shows
that although the weather was uniavorable, the
observations were made In an admirable manner,
which the skilled American astronomers In the
expedition know well how to apply. We fear the
observations at Professor Halls station useless,
being made by the Holleghan method hence the
careful termination indicated by the American tele-
gram becomes of enormous importance II the Holle-
CHAN is useless. The Deste method is still applca-
bic.
TEHERAN, December 10th.-The observation Of
the transit OF Venus at this point very success
full