Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1893-01-19
IN WUMAN'S BEHALF.
WOMEN STARsoAZERS.
Astronomy Is Not Fad With Them, But
Their Chosen Life Work.

Since Prof. Diapers death In 1882,
Mrs. Draper has continued his research
on liberal scale at Harvard college,
under the name of "The Henry Draper
Memorial"
The Draper memorial work at Cam
bridge is carried on by nine women,
under the direction of Prof. T. c. Pick
ering, In detail it consists of eXplora-
ton in the visible and invisible regions
of the spectrum Of q star by means of
photography, TIE study OF the picture
obtained and the written record Of the
analysis giving the elements of which
the star is composed.
Miss Nina Fleming is at the head of
these astronomical workers with
camera and spcctroscope. She had be-
fore made several valuable researches,
and had been commended by scientists.
Miss Maury is atiothef promising as
tronomer in the memorial corps. She
Is the niece of Prof. Draper, and has
shown marked scientific ability, which
no doubt she inherits.
Her grandfather was Lieut.. Maury,
whose meteorological work has been of
great Importance to seaman. Before
going to Cambridge, Miss Maury
studied astronomy under the late Maria
Mitchell, at Vassar.
Although Harvard has been especial
ly appreciative of woman's achieve
inents in astronomy these women who
carry on the Draper memorial work
have given fresh impetus to the inter
est, and now the university not only
employs women MS computers but en-
courages them to undertake original
research.
Mrs. Diapers interest in the eXplora-
tions is constant, and she has given i'm
portant advice, and provided literally
for the work and encouraged it by her
frequent personal inspection, but the
success of the vast contribution to
science which the Draper memorial
catalogue will be is due to Mrs. Elem
Ing and her assistants.
All the actual labor of descriptive
chtaloguing the spectra of 10000 stars
has been done by them. The catalogu-
ing of these 10, 600 stars involved the
measurement of 900 spectra or lights
of celestial bodies. 1t dazzles the mind
and confuses it to consider the trenen-
dous amount of detail, exactitude,
neatness and precision such work re-
quires.
There Is first the proper and peculiar
preparation of the plates, then the set
ting of the camera to catch the most
distinctive rays, such as will reveal to
the investigator of what substances
and gdses the star photographed is COM
posed. The instrument must be nicely
adjusted and delieately handled. Moist
ure and other atmospheric disturbances
that prevent the taking of good photo.
graphs must be watched for
After the photograph of the spectrum
is taken then comes the seemingly end
less detailed study of it The picture
looks to the uninitiated like a simple
line of lines of light without any signifi-
canoe whatever, but the astronomer
literally sees volumes in it,"
1t Is classified. A determination of
the wave lengths of the lines Is made,
and then its light is compared with
terrestrial light, and several other
things are done that only those who are
versed in chemical or spectrum astron-
omy could be expected to understand or
appreciate. Three manuscript copies
were made of the descriptive records
regarding the 10000 stars before the
final copy was sent to the press.
From the foregoing data can be re-
allied to some degree what tremen-
dous work is the Draper me mortal cata-
logue, which is not yet half finished
The daring conception of it by Mrs
Draper is worthy of the learned man
whose name it perpetuates
Mrs. Draper has also contributed
funds to establish an observatory in
Peru. 1t is stationed at Chosica on an
almost inaccessible height of the Andes
mountains. Two valuable observations
made there by Messrs. NJ !. and NJ. IL.
Bailey have been catalogued and pre-
pared for the printer by the Draper
memorial women.
Notwithstanding this absorbing as
Economical undertaking, to which she
gives her enthusiastic attention, Mrs.
Draper does not neglect her social
duties. She entertains frequently dur
ing the winter, either giving evening
receptions or series of dinner parties.
Her dinners are generally in honor OF
some man or woman of note. This sea.
son at one of her most charming dinner
companies, Mrs French-Sheldon, the
African explorer, was the guest Of
honor.
AS Miss Anna Palmer, daughter Of
the late Cortland Palmer, Mrs. Draper
enjoyed beleship among the socia
elect of New York. which she did moi
resign as the wife of Prof Draper, who,
Notwithstanding his scientific tastes
was fond of society, music, art and out
Df-door sports in all of which Mrs
Draper was his comrade--as well as ir
his work.
She accompanied him on nearly all o.
his expeditions to view the ''doings' o
the stars. The most memorable of the
journeys was to Rawlings, the astro
nomical station in Wyoming. 1t was il
1878. The party was notable one, DIR
and Mrs. Draper, Thomas Edison, Prof
Henry Morton and George Barker
They went to study total solar eclipse
Mrs. Draper is system maker, al
every efficient American housewife,
is, and by the aid of her secretary, Mis-
May Ingersol, dispatches before lunch
con the large correspondence that ar
rives every morning. She has no chill
dren, but that magnificent brownston
house on Madison avenue gives the i'm
preston of being lived in and thorough
ly enjoyed.
1naits great drawing-room the othe
day, as I sat opposite her, though
what a piece of Burne-Jones color
all was. 1t was o'clock and she ha'
a1r.o -. L., J.o-. -