The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-16

WARRINGTON. May I5.-Edward s.
unjaer. the astronomical expert and d.
,.r1sr III Lick Observatory. has just issued
,hrsueh the Smithsonian Institution the
- book ever written giving an accurate
- 81 the mountain olservatorIes OF the
80 Few works of fiction are more In
1,~<.ing than this plain recital OF facts.
& story Of hardship. starvation and
kad1y peril that have befaIien men who
>aye Izbored on and on Ia the interests of
eepef
II shows that much of the Information
.secefnine the heavenly bodies of which
= mad Is gained under circumstances
- Il height which would bli uS with
- il ne only knew the real truth 1t
- how scientists find wonderful facts
1kers the clouds. Prof. Heiden's obj
= fSfszjng this work is TO outline the con-
Mipns suitafsie for Astronomical labor al
- jereIs II tells Of the work OF the
hrafd college expedition on FL Mixti,
~ stands Il. go feet above the seas
~ II describes the meteorological sta-
- . the Sonnblick which is ss43 feet
- old ocean. IL tells Us Of the hair
IN escapes and constant danger that
II = tbe iof OF those who take obsersa-
- - Mont Blanc. The results of DR.
- iaboTs on the Saints II revealed
- - story Is also told Of what trans
- the summit of famous Mount
ST. In word, II Is a resume OF the
- Of scientists on mountain peaks
- ne time OF Prof. Piazzi-Smyth at
Il pmk Of TenerifYe In ls5s 10 the latest
s66lYsments In far away India
~ modern mountain astronomical OBJ
arvatofy is the legitimate descendant.
M Holden says. OF GaIileo's tower OF
kxetr- The inhabitants OF the earth
how the external universe directly only
tsroueh the sense of sight. and our terres-
Mi views OF the planets and stars are
a8eh modified BY the action OF our own
nnosphere upon the Gays of their light
snith reach our eyes. We are. as IL were
mnefsed In an ocean Of air. and one Of
~ FIRST problems OF astronomical physics
% determine the effects OF this over
tig ocean upon the light from external
htlm which penetrates its depth Light
noxR In straight lines in empty space, but
~ entsfing our atmosphere is refracted
- rs course so that the ray which en-
cur eye from a star no longer travels
Nh primitive direction
1enecessity for mountain obseryatories
~ from the fact that in order to secure
ZIe(f observation OF the heavenly bodies
~ NECESSARY that the telescope De as far
Mtooeihle from what Is known az the
IN sheli OF the earth. and In an stnfos-
I'm which IL steady. BY stesdy atmos-
- h meant that where the air Is NOT
mDtAnfly In motion. The air iS in sfratas
~ a. Is the earth When one is above
aaraia that are more generally affected
me air currents. IL will h. noticed that
&shrs twinkle far less than under other
N<sons. Nov. the twinkllng of stars.
~ result of curvature Of Atmosphere
Hah caused by air currents. When I
~ air currents do not act. then the at
NRQhsre IS steady and CORRECT obserfa- Z
o. Is rendered easy.
~ thase things being realized by the
AlVaoraerS. acted upon them just as the 1
~1llieh of an undiscovered country af-
~ the explorer The results as told by
~ Holden seem marvellous. Observa-
ar@s en- high mountains must either be
shndonAd altogether during the winter
Hson. OF, II occupied. the observer must
suhlected TO extremely trying coadi-
tnns and 20 some danger from terrific
1ofms Of wind snow. hail. from light
Mk etc. The discomfort and monotony
suh life subjected 10 very law tenn
Nfxiurss and surrounded by clouds and
taax fer long periods viii unfit an ordin-
20 ssdlyidual for making the best use OF
"
Fssfhis Telephone and telegraph lines
@anot be maintained in working order
szasr such conditions without taking ex-
saofalnary precautions, and there must
ears and weeks together when travel
ktxeen The summit and the valley Is shut
Il
ne highest meteorological observatory
ne world has been located BY the Har-
ss8a college observatory expedition on the
&aAntAin peak known as Fl Misti. one 81
e Ansies whose height Is go feet. or
- teel higher than Pixies Peak IN our
~ tnlsed States Amone the more in
eFssslnS are the ohservatnries on the
seanoisk IN Austria sna The SAINTS.
.a'Eh arr under the control OF the Pots
80 AstrprhySscal observatory. one Of the
@~' Rated IN Europe. Then there Is the
s''srvafary on the ever famous Mont
hAas. which represents perhaps some OF