The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-09
WATCHING THE STARS.


 Among the new comets many observ- CTS none are more energetic and able than the men at the United States naval observatory. on Georgetown Heights. says the Washington Times. Ever since its discovery by M Borelly, a young Mar seilles astronomer on July 21, the staff of the observatory has been taking photo graphs, making observations, busy with all the varied means of astronomical study at their disposal. As result, the ''Nauti- cal Almanac" will have a complete and accurate description of this latest sky visitor. The work of observing the comet is still in progress and is of the most in teresting character to the scientist and laymen as we'll
 The Big Telescope.
 A Times man found Prof. Walter w. Dinwiddie at the Observatory building, where the big telescope is housed. "This" said the professor, as he led the way to large pair of folding doors, lis the observatory proper"
 When the doors are flung open you pass under the great white dome which
 
 You do not need to be told that this is the telescope-one glance at the long tube towering In the gloom of the dome with it's multitude of screws, brass work and levers, is enough. The giant spy glass rests on pillar of metal, sur rounded by a maze of steel shafts, pull leys, and mechanical paraphernalia-not to be comprehended by the unmechanl- cal mind The purpose of this pillar is to "a telescope, room is hoored with wood, the boards are thin, and of rich, deep brown; otherwise 1t is severely plain.
 "It's little cloudy to see the comet tonight" said Prof Dinwiddie and by the way that's one of the things we have to contend with here In Washing ton As a rule the atmosphere in this latitude is cloudy and observations are hard to get I'll bring the telescope round" and he gave a tug on the thick rope swung over a pulley on the tele- scope stand. The long tube swung nolse- lessy down. Another tug at convent ent rope and a long split opened in the dome a turn of a lever and the flooring rose slowly, steadily and with gentle motion. It was impossible to feel that you were rising until you happened to notice with a start how near the great leather arm chair was coming to the eyeplece of the telescope.
 Finally the motion was stopped and the professor peered through the tele- scope. 'It seems too cloudy to see the comet. Take a look.
 This Is the instrur mt we could use in studying the comet for the more im- portant observations, but at present Prof. Morgan Is at work with the 12- inch equatorial Those bright lines In the field? They serve somewhat the same purpose as the lines in the field Of a transit We use them to determine the relative position of the body we are observing. This device in the center Of the telescope stand Is a clock and con- trols the movement of the tube, so once the telescope Is set on a star 1t will fol- low 1t right around the sky. You have to move the dome, though, about every fifteen minutes; in fact, l never heard of a dome, even in the larger obserVato- ries, which was automatic.
 A Fine Instrument.
 "This Is a very large glass. Before the Lick and Yerkes observatories were built, it was the largest in the country. It's diameter is twenty-six inches but the Lick telescope measures thirty-six and the Yerlxes forty. Just a moment and will let you out" The professor pulled the rope once more and the folding doors rose in view.
 l notice the leather arm chair which stands in convenient position for the observer The padded headrest, arms, and foot stool are very conspicuous; they seemed to tell in chorus of the many hours spent by the patient obser- yer, his eye fixed on the heavenly bodies.
 The Superlntendent's Office.
 From the observatory proper to the main building is only short stroll along the broad concrete walks, set |" tween trim lawns. Captain Chester will be able to give you exactly what we are doin In regard to the comet" said Prof. Dinwiddie This way" and he led the way up the wide stone stairs and along the long, still corridors, fioored with small blocks of hardwood. There was quiet air of study about the inte- rior of the main building; even the big clock on the first floor told off the sec onds in a low voice.
 Come in,' said a voice from within and the Times man entered to find Cap tain Chester, the naval officer in charge, sitting at his wide desk, which was piled high with papers. The room is large with the pictures of famous astrono- mers about the walls, and lighted from without by two deep windows.
 'This is Prof George H. Peters, an as tronomical student of attainments. our astronomical photographer. Pray be seated" said Captain Chester. What is the observatory doing in regard to the comet? That's a question l can't answer in one word You see, first and fore most, we are here to bring astronomy to the service of the navy, and so WIG prepare the Nautical Almanac test ships clocks and fine chronometers. ano l get out maps of the heavens. Now, al | first sight, the comet may not seem te have very much bearing on the navy but it is impossible to say what disturb ance it may have on the position of thu | heavenly bodies, and remember it Is b, these that the sailor gets his reckoning 1 So for this reason the naval observator, l is studying the comet as closely as an, of the observatores attached to a uni versty.
 The Programme of Study
 Every clear evening Prof. Theodore l. King makes observations with th' twelve inch equatorial. From these and other observations Prof. Morgan anc Miss Lamson. both of our staff, have computed the comets orbit. We car say now that it will trace a parabola through the heavens.
 Prof Peters has photographed the comet several times with his six inch star camera.
 "Yes," said Prof. Peters, with ar hours exposure on July 2S the tail of the comet, which was shown to be double could be traced to the edge of the plate | of Fl fxVO