Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-11-07
UP AMONG THE STARS.
Bad Complexion Of Iupiter...Tbe HOOns
Of Mars.

washington special New lOrk IriOune'l
Professor Asaph Hall. the astrono-
mer, and the famous discoverer Of the
moons of Mars, was found this after
noon at his desk in the naval observa-
tory by a correspondent Of the Trib-
n He was asked for the latest
news from Mars and his family of
satellites.
Well, he replied, II have been
taking nightly observations for some
time. | began them on the night of
the 10th inst. but cloudy weather
prevented successful observations IN
til the 18th. Since hat time my OBJ
servatiOns have been continuous and
successful"
And are you able to see both the
satellites distinctly ?" asked the cor
respondent.
Perfectly" replied the professor.
Referring TO a book containing written
tables, he continued Il have made
fourteen observations of DEMOS. the
outer satellite, and thirteen of Phobos,
the inner satellite. The planet. you
know, will be in opposition on the l2th
Of November, and | shall continue
my observations until about the LIST of
December. The satellites will proba-
bly, be visible, however, for some time
after that date"
TO what result 90 the observations
up to this time seem to point?'
THE outer satellite is almost exact.
ly in the place computed from the ell
enents of observations of 1877. You
may say that it is SO near the place
that NE cannot tell, until the 0bserva-
tons are reduced, what the correction
will probably be. The inner satellite
comes to It's ~elongations forty-four
minutes before the computed times.
But as it has made about 2450 reyolu-
tons around Mars since 1871, the cor
reeti0n of its periodic time is about
minus one second. So that it Is also
very neal its computed place"
THE nights are very favorable, +"
continued Professor Hall, "and the
observations that I shall make this
year will enable me to detarmine the
period with great accuracy. and all
the elements OF Che orbits viii bs
kaOwn. But the elements already
known are so near that the mass Of
Mars. which was computed from the
observations of 1877, will not be much
changed. think it is possible that
these satellites may be seen in Oppo-
sition of Mars in December, 1881,
with some Of the largest telescopes.
But they will be very faint then.
Mars will be a good way from the
earth"
The professor was then asked if any
other matters Of Importance are now
attracting the attsnEOn Of astrono-
mers.
We are not making startling dis
coveries," he replied. The day for
great astronomical sensations is long
past but astronomers are steadily
working out a great many Interesting
scientific problems. Just now eonsid-
cradle attention is being given to Ju-
piter. An immense pinkish-colored
spot has appeared on his face. We
don't know what it is, but it is expect
ed that it will furnish the means for
determining accurately the time occu-
pied by the planet in bis revolution.
Professor Pritchard, Of Missouri, has
been deyOting himself 10 this work
for some time. Saturn is now also be.
coming a work of great interest. His
rings are Opening up, and for a long
time he will be the most beautiful
object in the heavens. On the whole.
1t is rather m active period for astro.
nomicll research generally"