The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-11-13

ried on for very long. a. only one as
sistant could be spared for the entire
solar work of whatever character. Yet
In that time an interesting discovery
was made by the writer. namely. that
in the green part of the spectrum OF
O.. certain spots a number of broad diff
fused lines or narrow bands made
their appearance from time TO time,
and especially when sun spots were
increasing in number or were at their
greatest development.
The prominence work had also TO
BE- dropped. partly for the same reason,
but chiefly because the atmospheric
conditions at Greenwich are not suit
able for these delicate astrophysical
researches. When the observatory
was founded 'in the golden days" OF
country town far enough removed
from the great capital and no inter-
ference from its smoke and dust had
to be feared or was dreamt of. Now
the great wen" as Goblet called
IL. has spread far around and beyond
IL. and the days when the sky is suf-
ficiently pure round the sun for sue
cussful spectrum work on the spots
or prominences are few indeed.
Whether in the future 1t will be
thought advisable for the royal OBJ
~servatory to enter into serious com
petition in inquiries OF this descrip-
ton with the great "astrophysicai'
observations OF the continent and of
: our United States-Potsdam. Meu-
den. the Lick and the Yerkes-I can
not say. That would involve a very
considerable departure from its orig
inal programme. and probably also a
departure from its original site. For
the conditions at Greenwich tend to
become steadily less favorable for
such work. and IL would probably be
found that full efficiency could only
be secured by setting up a branch or
branches far from the monster town.
Ii is interesting To note that a mar
velous collection of photographs of
the moon l. being made at the Paris
observatory. When completed this
will provide astronomers with a per-
manent and trustworthy record of the
principal features observable on the
surface OF our satellite. The latest ad-
dition to this Photographic lunar al
bum Is published in the annual report
just finished by the director OF the OBJ
servatory. NJ. Lowey, and Is here pro-
duced. II is not too much to say that
this is the finest photograph of the
crescent moon that has yet been ia
ken. The moon was only four days
six hours old. and therefore not far
from the sun at sunset. At such a
time considerable difficulty Is expert
enced I'm photographins the moon. for
an exposure can only pc commenced
at the end Of twilight.
In spite of his difficulty. however. a
careful examination OF the accompany
ing picture will reveal a considerable
amount OF Information respecting the
surface OF the moon. Lamar e~raters.
similar 60 those Of extinct volcanoes
on the earth. can be distinctly seen.
and also a comparatively large dusky
area which is usually regarded as the
exposed bed OF what was originally
an ocean. The true nature of a num-
Der OF delicate markings has been de-
ctded by this and previous photo
graphs taken at Paris. Evidence Is
o forthcoming that. as In the cas-
OF u earth. the crust of the moon
has been sculptured and modified both
by the action Of water and ice. As
tronomer will await with the great
est Interest the publication of the fur
Their Information which NJ. Lowey
promises.
4. WALTER MAuNDER.
! r. X. A. 5.