The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-26

Oeoeeooooeo eeo eooS 80 oee "
Great, then. Is his joy when new OBJ
astronomical fraternity equipped with
| splendid instruments, and manned with
| corps of astronomers and physicists
whose very names are guarertee of sf-
| fective service.
Greatest OF all events in this third era
Of American astronomy was the dedi-
cation last month Of the Yerkes Observa-
tory Of the University of Chicago. Prof.
Hale, it's able director, arranged pro-
gramme without precedent covering
nearly and entire week, calling upon his
fellow-astronomers for assistance in its
execution. First there was series OF
morning conferences on astronomical
topics extending through four days. and
all the better that they were felt to be
less formal than association meetings.
The most important discovery related
was that Of oxygen in the sun. its ex-
istance being proved beyond question by
the research Of Prof. Karl Runge CT
Hanover, who came to the dedication az
en- especial delegate Of the German Gov
NJ. Henri Deslandres of Paris. Foreign
institutions in other countries sent
gratulatory cablegrams.
Prof. Hale did well to organize the con-
ferences with an abundance Of papers on
purely physical topics; among them Hull
OF Colby talking on electric radiation,
Crew Of Evanston on source Of the
characteristic spectrum OF the metallic
arc, and Humphreys of Charlottesville
on wave-iength as Influenced by pres
cure In astronomy, Comstock OF Mad
ison reported ON his investigations Of
possible lunar atmosphere; Hedrick Of
Georgetown exhibited plates taken with
the photo-chionograph for doing away
with personality in transit observations;
Wadsworth, astophysicist of the new OBJ
servatory, described Photographic
meridian circle, and Poor of Johns Hop
l<ins new form of mirror for the re-
f!ecting telescope. The conferences, ad-
mirably planned and capitally executed
formed perhaps the most enjoyable feat
ure of dedication week; they were, in
deed, veritable "love feast of physics
and astronomy. Afternoons were de-
voted to inspection of the splendid equip
ment of the great Observatory in every
detail; and many novel demonstrations
among them Mr.. Brashear's optical sur
faces and methods Of testing them, and
the grinding of five-foot mirror actual
~ in progress. Everyone connected with
the Observatory staff was assigned some
part in the programme for edifying the
scientific visitors; and unfovorafble skies
alone defeated evening exhibitions of the
performance of the forty-inch telescope
upon a selected list of test objects, by
Profs. Burnham and Barnard.
From twenty-six eligible sites under
consideration by the University, Will
Jams Buy, on the shore of Lake Geneva,
in the state of Wisconsin, was finally
selected and lovely spot ii i.. Astron-
omically. too, all conditions appear most
favorable for that region, and the ac-
tivities of the new institution can hardly
suffer because carried on at distance
Of seventy-five miles from the huge city
trains conveyed the trustees, members
of the congregation, and officials guests
If the University from Chicago to Will
y, 8
President Harper, whose gracious vigor
made him the ideal master OF cermonies.
Some eight hundred in all availed them
selves OF this unique occasion, and the
deft handling of 80 large a convention
displayed an executive capacity which
few astronomers possess.
Under the great dome, nearly nun
dred feet in diameter, all were gathered
for the specific ceremony of dedication.
Prof. Keeler of Allegheny delivered a
comprehensive address on the new as
physics-and its relations to other phys
ical sciences. especially emphasizing the
necessity for farther spectroscopic re-
search upon sun and stars, which the new
Observatory has ample equipment for
prosecuting. Next came the elimination
OF the days doings, when Mr.. Yerkes
stepped forward to express his complete
dence. of five years toll, and to hand
over to the Board of Trustees the deeds
Of the METRE property, practically all OF
which had been acquired at his charges.
No rbenefactor OF learning ever received,
or could wish to receive, warmer or
more heartful and wholly spontaneous
tribute than Mr.. Yerkes at that crown
ing moment. A unique situation it was
hundreds Of people gathered under the
sheltering arches of the vast dome, and
beneath the piercing lens OF the worlds
greatest telescope, all gratulant TO the
men whose well-directed munificence had
provided the growing university with un-
surpassed facilities for advancing know
ledge OF other worlds than ours. b.
forcce OF sheer contrast one was minded
Of the famous event Of 1s40 when Sir
William Herschel's huge telescope, no
Longer -servicable. was dismantied with
formal ceremonies conducted by all the
Hersc7lel's. within the tube Itself as
sembied.''
With impressive dignity President
Harper then accepted this magnificent
gift, on behalf OF his faculty and tie as
,ronomic staff. outlining al the same
time the history OF il. development,
from the inception on October 2. 1892,
when the doors of the University had
been opened but three days The policy