The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-04
TRANSIT OF VENUS,
As Seen by Members of the Newport
Scientific Association.
Distance Between the Earth, Venus and
the Sun.

Distance Between the Earth, Venus and
the sun.
Special Correspondence of the EVENING LIGHT:
NEW YORK, December ~, lss2. The Newport
Scientific association, of Newport, KY, has just
completed its calculations on the distance of the
sun from this mundane sphere. They have gone
TO considerable trouble in getting at a correct
calculation, and offer to the public the results
of their labOrs far in advance of the dissertation
expeditions sent out by the government. The
following is the official document OF the associa-
ton:
The observation of the transit of Venus by
members of the scientific association OF New
port, KY, was perhaps in all Its details, the
most successful of any yet reported. Without
the aid or recognition of the government, this
association, with Il spirit OF enterprise ana O'
devotion to science that has never been eX-
celied, erected a substantial observatory tower
seventy feet in height. ..
This they equipped with the necessary
instruments, such as II spectroscope, photom-
eter, heliometer, micrometer, electric elemeter,
&c. but the chief reliance for II complete OBJ
servatiOn was the great refracting telescope
constructed by and presented by the munili-
cence of one of its members.
As if i'm anticipation of the obscurity that
prevailed during the hours of transit, the
instrument seemed especially adapted to meet
it, for its powers were such as to penetrate
clouds and mist, even us light dspels the dark
ness.
At precisely one and one-eighth minutes past
schedule time, the planet made its external
contact. As ii prepared for the fiery ordeal Of
gliding over the suns disc, it had assumed Il
shabby garb of black, and had shrunken to less
than One-half of her usual proportions.
Strange that the goddess of beauty, while en-
dishabille, should attract attentions Thousand
fold greater than when sweeping through the
evening sky i'll blaze OF glory.
AT the moment of interval contact the black
drop, as noted by observers at other stations
appeared as Il projection or cone Of light
Here a rift in the clouds so enhanced the
power of the instrument that, wonderful TO
relate, the cone stood resolved, as satellite
dancing attendance upon Venus, and closely
hugging her right limb.
From the data obtained by seven hours con
slant observation, the time of revolution OF
this moon around its primary, is computed at
twenty-three days, eleven hours.
Adjusting to the telescope the strongest eye
piece its power was so raised as almost To ma
teriiize living objects Although It failed To
grasp them, it did reveal all of the elements es
Sential TO their existence. The conditions were
50 analogous to those of our earth that all were
satisfied that it was fruitful world, teeminy
with life i'll its myriad forms.
COnfrmatOry of this we quote the great seer,
who thoroughly explored this world, or who, at
least, interviewed its inhabitants. He states:
"In the planet Venus there are two classes Of
men, the first mild and humane, the second
savage and brutal. The latter are giants,
stupid, immersed solely i'll worldly affairs, and
the care of their cattle.
Scanning the surface of the planet, areas
were found of snow, crisp and pure, as 1t spar
killed. in the light.
We could fancy these self same cattle decor
ated with sleigh-bels Swimming over its sur
face, with merry parties of our mild and hu
name cousins bent on pleasure.
Far to the westiO the snow fields, lofty ran
yes of mountains Jreaded southwark, gradual
Iy diminishing until lost i'll the distance; some
Of the nearer peaks, blazing with volcanic fires,
cast ttful flashes of light over the sea that
laved their base, the whol scene reDinding
one of our own Andes and the Pacific.
The great ocean that flowed at their base, by
very exact measurement was found To be 2,I63
miles in width. The continent bordering its
western shore, particularly belt extending
along the line of the equator, by its ua%e OF
green gave evidence OF Il luXuriant vegetation.
The silver threads that were observed To wind
through the plains Indicate fertile country
watered by streams.
Thus we have purpOsely avoided all technical
details of the work performed by observers,
because the general aspect of the phenomenon,
with the result, can alone prove Of interest.
The computations wrought out by our circu-
lating machine are not only in advance of all
Others but may he rolled upon rs being pos
sessed of cXactursS of machine work. sum
mary of observations is us follows:
Miles.
Distance of Venus from the earth. % 3l9,62l
Distance of Venus from the sun 49, III ,3gl2
Distance OF the sun from the earth .U, 43i 1901
Or the grand result shows that the sun is just
three-quurters of a mile further from the earth
than is laid down in the present tables.
Three four years hence, some belated as
tcuuOmerS of the Rip Van Wrinkle type will
have then reduced their notes, and will perhaps
tender you different result; do not be deceived
by them.
This honorable association that has stood rs
an oracle, i'll all matters appertaining to science
for an entire decade, asserts the correctness oil
its reckoning, and will maintain il.
PHILoMATH