Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-10-27
RESERVATIONS coMprErEp.


The observations upon Mount Whitney by
the scientific party from the East, have been
concluded. and the last of the members have
passed through en- route to the East. One of
the principal objects of the expedition was to
determine the amount Of heat sent upon the
earth by the sun in given length of time.
Another object was to ascertain the precise
color Of the suns rays outside Of the earth's
atmosphere, it being the theory of Professor
Langley that the suns rays are biuish and
not golden, when not affected by the earth's
atmosphere, ard that the effect OF the latter
Is to absorb the violet rays The obserYa-
.iors from Mount Whitney we're for thu pur.
pose Of investigating this theory from poiet
as high above the sea level as possible, ard
where the atmosphere was the most rare and
clear that could be found.
The party consisted of Professor S. p.
Langley, of the observatory ct Allegheny,
Pa; Captsin 0. i. Michselis, representing
the Government and in charge Of transporta-
ton w. O. Day, Fellow in Chemistry at the
Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore, and
J. 4. Keller, astronomer and assistant to
Professor Langley. They were accompanied
by two Signal Sergeants from Denver, Col,
and detachment of six soldiers from BENZ
cia. The party was engaged In taking views
and observations for about ak weeks, and
regarded the result as very favorable. The
lower camp and place of observation was at.
Long Pine, At about 8, 600 feet altitude the
principal camp and point Of observation was
at an altitude Of u coo feet and another was
occupied at the summit of the mountain.
Two weeks were st first spent at the lower
station, when the party moved to the middle
one, leaving one sergeant at the former to
continue investigations. The observations st
the summit were nearly all taken by members
of the expedition going up from day to day.
Il was found t. be very cold and uupleas.
ant remaining at the summit during the
nights, and the difficulty OF getting wood to
so high a point above snow-line rendered it
worth $3.50 cord. The distance from Lone
Pine, or the lower station, which was at ), 600
feet altitude, was twenty-five miles in a
straight line and fifty miles of trail. At the
middle station, p 0U0 feet altitude, q bas
of water would freeze solid every night, while
at the summit the temperature at night was
from 12' to 15' below freezing. The sky, as
seen from the summit, was Of deep blush |
violet color, and presented the appearance of
remarkable purify. Professor Langley says he
never saw so pure Q sky, and its color was ut-
changed from day to day.
Mr.. Day made. special study of the compo-
sition OF the atmosphere, particularly as to
the amount Of carbonio acid in it at a hight |
of 1900 feet. His notes have not been re-
duced, but he does not think there will be much
difference between that hight and sea level. |
None of the observations have yet been re.
duced, and several months will be required |
in that work after the party's arrival at the
East. Mount Whitney was believed by
Professor Langley to be IA, 900 feet high, but |
the exact hight will be known when their
figures are completed.