Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-05-22
CHICAGO'S GREAT GLASS.
Astronomers Taking a Look al inc
Planet Jupiter.
study of rho shy Through
the sew Lens.

ihbihMo hhi Wis'f may 60
The first CHM pse Of the starry heavens
through the WORLDS greatest lens was
given to President Harper, OF the
Chicago university, ana party of
representative Chicagoaps at the
Yerkes observatory. Prof. Hale and
Prot. Barnard were the hosts. The
visitors were shown the two motions
OF the telescope; the clock was set In
motion, the lifting floor came up with
motion almost imperceptible, the
great dome revoiveu anu the telescope
was turned on Jupiter. Director Hale
then got the etar in the field Of the
Hinder anu President Harper was the
first OF the visitors to LOOK at the
planet through the Chicago universi.
y'sgreat glaes. Jupiter is 500, 900, 900
miles distant from the eartI, rongnly
estimated, aud the Yerkes teles ape
brings II to less than one million miles
distant.
The night seemed an ideal one for
observation. The sky was cloudless,
but owing 10 the atmospheric disturb.
ances Of the day before and the fall In
temperature, the seeing was pro.
nounced by the Astronomers only fair.
Prof. Barnard, captured by the
Chicago University from the Lick
observatory, declares that 1t 10 not
possible to estimate what the telesc ope
may do for science. 1t will take
weeks and possibly months for the
operators to successfully solve the
problems which the atmosphere may
present.
ave have a right 10 expect great
results,O he said. "Tbis instrument
collects % per cent more light than
does the Lick. This means great
deal, since 1t allows us to penetrate
one fourth farther into space. Were
there no problems in the space De.
tween heaven and earth aud the
atmosphere was an tnvariable quantity
it would BIS reasonable to give the
Imagination swing and tell about
what we ought ~ be able to do
with the telescope. We have been
forth nate in working with the smaller
| telescope from this site and from this
we are able to say that the Yerkes
| Telescope Is located ut an especially
| ideal point.
at is already assured, by reason OF
| the excellence OF seeing experienced
here In the day time that something
definite may be had about Venus anu
| Mercury ami the question of their re-
| tation periods. We may possibly con-
| firm either the short or long periods OF
| rotation, as assigned to these planets
! by various observers.
1--WE can reasonably expect
much conclse and new information
| about the moons OF Jupitor, their
| pbysical condition and POROUS Of rota-
| ion. Saturn anu his rings will be
| fruitful fisius anu we shall be- dissp.
| pointed unless We are able to bring
down accurate knowledge Of the eur.
| lace oil Uranus and Neptune.
| "Tnis telescope Will show ths world
much that ia new concerning the
asteroids, the little worlds between
| Mars ana Jupiter and the science OF
| astronomy Will be enrichsi by Its ex-
posures OF many OF the secrets OF this
| double stars. We can promise more
accurate measurements OF the die.
| tances to the fixed stars The moon
will be better seen anu the little val
leys and hills on the desolats surIac,
will tie more numert u. 1t lie too muct
TO expect OF any telescope yet bull
II at IL snould reveal whether II evel
bors life or what IL Ia composed OF
rne moon looks as II 1t were seen nj
distance of 200 miles with the nasel
eye.
Prof. Hale says that the prelimin-
ary work done makes u likely tina
much attention Will bo paid to solal
work. His opinion is that the site 4
most conuucive.
The atmosphere here Ia decidedly
batter for astronomical purposes tina Q
on Pixies Peak or mount Etna, de
ciareu the professor.
"Yhe most delicate observations Q
the SUI viii be possible ana unuoupt
.dly fruitful science. The lensee hav
Already proven TO be the best In cxis.
epce Tor this branch OF the work. Tn
image OF the sun at the focus OF IN
instrument lie seven inches In dis-s
Ter"