The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-12-13
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now PAST DOES LIGHT rRAvEL4

HOW FAST DOES LIGHT TRAvEL7
Important experiments are about to be
made at the East End by Prof Albert A.
Nicholson, under Government auspices, to
determine more accurately than ever before
the velocity of light. Mr.. Nicholson is a
young man who graduated from the Naval
Academy at Annapolis, Md, in 1873. He
came to Cleveland in May of this year, and
is now connected with the Case School of
Applied Sciences. After his graduation he
remained at the Naval Academy In Annapo-
lis and undertook patient experiments to de.
termine how fast light travels. The most
accurate previous conclusions on this point
were those of M. Cornu, made at the Observ.
atory at Paris in 1874 The velocity oflight,
according TO these experiments, was 300, 400
kilometres, or nearly 1856, 5S4 miles per sec
ond Mr.. Nicholson, in his experiments in
1879, arrived at velocity of 599,940 kilo-
metres or 1856, $50 miles per second. While
he was experimenting Prof Simon New
comb, of Washington, Superintendent OF the
Nautical Almanac, visited Annapolis and in
terested himself in Mr.. Miohelson's opera
tons. Mr. Newcomb did not believe the
result obtained was as close as possible, and
with Mr.. Michelson's assistance undertook
experiments of his own at Washington He
arrived at conclusion slightly differing from
Mr.. Michelson's figures, but has not yet pub
iished the results he obtained. Later he re-
peated his operations ard obtained the same
result as at first. He then asked Mr.. Michel
son to repeat his experiments. The latter
has agreed to do so at Cleveland, and prep
arations for the work are almost complete.
The cost will be about 81 200, and will be
borne by the Bache scientific fund The site
of the experiments Is the grounds of the
Case School at the East End. Here two
buildings have been erected by Mr.. E. Z.
fngersoll, the well known contractor and
builder OF Logan street. The larger build
ing, &c by 90 feet, contains small engine
and the chief apparatus. Two thousand feet
west of il is a small building containing
stationary mirror. These buildings have
been erected, and the apparatus viii be ready
for work in about two weeks. The machin-
cry and manner of the experiment are quite
complicated. In brief, however, ray OF
sunlight is thrown upon slowly revolving
mirror, whence il is reflected upon the sta |
tionary mirror 1000 feet away, and from
there reflected over the same path. AS the
revolving mirror turns slowly the returning
ray is moved slowly TO one side. The veloc-
ity of the light is measured by calculation
of the various distances from mirrors to mir
rors, angles, rapidity and distance of move
ment of the revolving mirror, distance of
movement of the returned ray, &c. Prof.
Nicholson thinks that when he gets at work
he can conclude his experiments and investi-
cations in about three weeks. The work
will be closely watched by scientists inter-
ssted in that subject. The velocity of light
has an important bearing upon astronomical
calculations, and the experiment win be one
of considerable value. Prof. Nicholson,
though young man, has reputation as
careful reliable, and conscientious investi-
gator. His being placed in charge of the
Department of Physics Of Case School is ev-
idence that he is an accomplished scientist.
--Gereiafd Leader.