New-York tribune., 1879-10-31
INTERESTING THINGS IN THE SKY.
THE MOONS OF MARs-PROFEssOR AsAPH HALL
TAKING NIGHTLY OBSERVATIONS - 1HE BAD
COMPLEXION OF JUPITER-sATURN.


TAKING NIGHTLY OBSERVATIONS - IHE BAD
COMPLEXION OF JUPITER-sATURN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TRIBuSF.l
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3O.-Professor Asaph Hall, the
astronomer and the famous discoverer of the
moons of Mars. was found this afternoon at his
desk IN the Naval Observatory by correspondent
OF The TRIBUNE. He was asked for the Iatestncws
from Mars and his family of satellites.
"Well," Inc replied. q" have been taking nightly
observations for some time. 1 began them on the
II ght Of the lOth instant, but cloudy weather pre-
vented successful observations until the 18th
Since that time my observations have been cOntin-
uOus and successful
"And are you able to see both the satellites dis
tinctlyR" asked the correspondent
Perfectly" replied the Professor Referring TO
a book containing written tables. he continued "
have made fourteen observations OF Demos. the
outer satellite, and thirteen of Phohos the inner
satellite. The planet you know. will be IN opposi-
ton on the 18th Ol November. and shall continue
my observations until about the LIST of December.
The satellites will probably be visible, however, for
some time after thar date"
TO what result do the observations up to this
time seem TO point y
"Ihe outer satellite is almost exactly in the
place computed from the elements of the observa-
tons of 1877. You may say that It is so near the
place that we cannot tell until the observations
reduced what the correction will probably
be. The inner satellite comes to its elongatlons
forty-fOur minutes before the computed times. But
as II has made about 2,450 revolutions around Mars
since 1877. the correction of its periodic time Is
about minus one second. So that is also very near
its computed place"
Z" he nights are very favorable" continued Pro-
fcsSor Hall; land the observations that | shall
make tins year will enable me to determine the
periods with great accuracy, and all the elements
of their orbits will be- known. But the elements
already determined are near, that the mass of
Mars when was computed from the observations
! of 1877 will not he much changed. think II Is
possible that these satellites may be seen in the OPP
position of Mars IN December of 1881 with some OF
the largest telescopes. But they will bc very faint
then. Mars Will be good way from the Earth"
The Professor was asked if any other matters of
importance are attracting the attention OF as
trOnomers.
ave not making any startling discoveries"
he replied. "The day for great Astronomical SEN
satons il long past; but astronomers are steadily
working out a great many interesting scientific
problems Just now considerable attention ~ he
ing gwen To Jupiter An immense pinklsh colored
suot M, appeared on his face. We don't know what
if is but II Is expected that it will furnish the
means for determining with accuracy the time oc-
cupcd by thai planet ~ hls revolution. Professor
Pritchard OF Missouri. has been devoting himself
to his work for some time Saturn Is now also be-
coming an object of great interest. His rings are
opening, up and for long time ne Will he tine most
beautiful OBJECT III the heavens On the whole. II is
rather an active period for astronomical research
pcucrallV,O