Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-26
THE NAVAL OBSERVATORY.

An Estimate OF Appropriations Required for
the Next Fiscal Year.
In his annual report to the chief of the bureau
of equipment, Navy Department, Capt McNair,
superintendent Of the naval observatory sub
mits the following estimates for that institution
for the ensuing year:
APPROACHES AND GROUNDS.
Observatory lane Grading, filling, building
culvert and retaining wall and laying roadbed
from Tenleytown road to new naval observa-
tory (submitted), s4.96267. Approach from
Rock ockcreek-Improvingg grade and roadbed Sub
mitted), 81 1868; asphalting road and footways
(submitted), S2. 50O material and labor to fill in
ravine contiguous to boiler house (submitted),
$500; total, sll l,s25.67.
NEW MERIDIAN CIRCLE.
One six-inoh meridian circle with mounting
collimators, reflection apparatus, reversing
carriage, personal equation apparatus, illumi-
nation and all accessories, complete Submit
ted, $4,000
This new meridian circle is needed for the
exact determination of the positions and mo-
of all our knowledge Of the structure of the
universe. The labor and expense involved in
the reduction of observations of this kind
necessarily throw this work upon a limited
number Of large government observatories.
Only two other nations-Great Britain and
Russia-have systematically kept up this work
for long period Of years. The large transit
circle which was mounted at the naval observ-
atory in 1865 has proved to be only suited for
diferential work, and q new and modern in
strument is needed for fundamental work. par
ticularly since the position of our observatory,
SO much farther to the south than those Of
Europe, gives us special facilities for extend
ing the fundamental system Of the northern
sky well to the southwark of the equator where
80 little work Of this character has been done.
The west meridian circle room Of the new OBJ
servatory was originally designed for this in
strument.
NEW BUILDINGS.
Three dwellings for observers, at $40. 900
each (submitted), $4,000; repair shop and
store houses for instruments (submitted) q, ,OOc;
total, s34, 900.
In order that the work of large observatory
may be properly and economically done. it is
absolutely necessary that the observers be
within prompt call to their instruments
throughout day and night. Very important OBJ
ing of the sky for a few hours, or even in some
cases for few minutes, if the observer be
within easy call of the watchman. This can
only be accomplished, in the isolated situation
OF the new observatory. by having dwellings, upon
the grounds for the observers. The govern
arsenals. forts and schools for the officers on
duty there. But no service requires such un-
renting attention and constant presence at
all hours as that Of the astronomer, and no OBJ
| servatory can be regarded as economically
managed which does not furnish dwellings for
all its observers close by their instruments. 1t
is estimated that with the observers living on
the grounds of the new observatory not only
will two or three times as much work be done
as it will be possible to do otherwise, but the
quality Of this delicate work will be materially
improved on account Of the observers being in
proper physical condition to begin their labors,
instead Of with nerves unstrung from hurrying
some miles from their homes Immediately after
meals or at unreasonable hours of the night.
The old observatory has q store house for
Instruments, and also q repair shop, but no
provision has been made for either at the new
observatory. The basement Of the main build
ing has been 80 constructed that it cannot be
used for either Of these purposes and separate
buildings must be constructed for storing the
large number of delicate instruments belong
ing to the navy and to the observatory, and
for repairing the same.
REMOVING MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY.
Removal of magnetic buildings and instru-
ments from the old to the new observatory
and construction Of new Easements (submit-
ted), S3. 500. Grand total. S59, ,S25.67.
The similar appropriations for the current
Aaca1 anouuf IN 96 $40