Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-26

Mars could be revealed, one OF the brainy
students of the skies declaring that with
"a telescope having a lens Of thirty-eight
or forty inches in diameter there would
be excellent chances of learning all about
the people of Mars.
If this astronomer is correct in his rea-
sonng. We viii soon have full reports
from Mars, with all the latest fall styles,
for a telescope with a 42-nch lens has
lust been completed for the &. T. Herkc5
Observatory OF the Chicago university
When this giant instrument Is mounted
il Il predicted that many starting secrets
Of the skies Will be revealed. But II
if should fail in its mission Of penetrating
the clouds. stin another giant Telescope
with n lens 50 inches in diameter Will be
roadv in the near future to do the work.
The 50-inch telescope Will be placed in the
Allegheny Pa) observatory through the
mupiGc,nce OF Andrew Carnegie and
Henry Phipps, Jr.
MIR. YERKEs BUYS A BIG TELE-
SCOPE.
It is an interesting contest that IS now
on between the scientists as 10 which
observatory Will make the greatest dis
coyeries in the skies The philanthropisls
are also coming forward with commenda-
ble alacrity and furnishing the monster
telescopes necessary for the study OF the
planets. when the Lick observatory r.
ceived its 3G-inch telescope it was believed
that none larger or more powerful coui1
be made. but recently three larger tele-
scopes have been completed, and the giant
Of all. the J0-inch telescope now beng
made in Pittsburg. will be ready for
mounting i'm 1880
The 42-inch Yerkes telescope just COM
plctcd for The Chicago University is the
second instrument made for c. I. Nerkcs.
the Chicago sire t-railrOad masnate. Mr..
Ycrkes is very fond Of astronomy. lie
spcnt about SuoWD in erecting an Obsorvd-
tory in California not long ago, and his
recent gift to the Chicago University viii
cost BIN AT least S20J.0U more. I'm his
new mansion. now In course of erection.
in Fifth avenue. this city. Mr. Ncrkes Will
have an observatory. IN which will be a
very fine Telescope for the private use Of
the owner.
lie not only takes great pleasure in
star-gazing himself. but members Of his
family are also ardent students OF as
trOnomy. When lie heard that more
powerful telescope than the one In Lick
Obs rvatory could De turned out, lie at
once gave an order for The largest telc-
OF the instrument said they believed the
limit was lens about forty-two inches
i'm diameter Mr.. lcrkcs told them not
10 mind the cost, and he has presented
the instrument 10 the observatory OF the
Chicago University.
The good people OF Chicago were
elated over the gift for they believed
they would secure the honor cf having
made the greatest astronomical discov-
cries They have been watching the pro-
gress made in the work on the giant
telescope with great interest. and hlvan
Clark's Sons, the makers. report that il
is nearly reaay Tor the observatory.
THE LARGEST LENS OF ALL.
At the same time comes the news from
Plttsbug tnrt John \. Brdshear is at
work on the 5e-inch telescope intended
for the Allegheny Observatory Mr..
Brashear believes he can make this lens,
but TO grind the monster pieces Of crown
and nint glass, which fit together 20 make
an acromNtic refractiOn lens, will take
AT least a year The glass must be I'M