Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-31
SCIENTISTS CLIMB
TO WILSON, PEAK
Hundred and Seven Famous AS
tronomerS Visit Celebrated
Carnegie Observatory
THR0NGS LAUD TELESCOPE
Professor Pickering of Harvard
University to Preside at
Today'S Sessions
THR0NGS LAUD TELESCOPE

PASADENA, Aug. 91.--Drinking to
the fullest of the beauties and grand
eur of Southern California, 107 of the
worlds greatest star gazers yesterday
made the pilgrimage to the summit
of Mt. Wilson, where are located the
wonderful telescopes and Astronomical
instruments of the Carnegie solar OBJ
setvatory.
The trip up the long, winding trail
started in the early morning while the
dew was on the grass and the air was
filled with the songs of many birds.
Some of the astronomers made the as
cent by the observatory road or wagon
train, via Eaton's canyon. In this lot
were hfty-seven scientists, newspaper
reporters, drivers and guides. At Sny-
ders camp, about half way up the
mountain side, where the old nursery
of the forestry department used to be,
the halt was made for luncheon. There
were eleven wagons in the trains and
each had its own lunch basket which
was filled with good things to eat
direct from the larder of the Hotel
Maryland.
The other contingent made their way
via Sierra Madre and the old foot
trail. At the end of the car line the
mountain climbers were met with sad
die horses, mules and burros. There
were not enough mounts for all and
about twenty of the astronomers pre-
ferred making the trip on foot. They
stated they We're mountain climbers
and preferred to take the hike on foot.
This party lunched at the Orchard
camp.
SCIENTISTS DINE AT HOTEL
The advance guard began arriving
at the Hotel Mt. Wilson about
o'clock. From that time until sun
down, tired although bouyant and
happy scientists came struggling into
camp ready for hearty dinner which
was waiting.
Contrary to expectations, instead of
sitting down to rest after the long
journey, the visitors had no sooner
reached sight of the great tower tele-
scope, piercing the air over 100 feet
above the tallest tree, than they made
grand rush for this marvel of the
age which has been planned and built
under the personal direction of DR..
George Ellery Hale, director of the
observatory
Just at sunset, while the famous star
gazers were being thrilled by the gor-
geous glow of the departing sun,
which today will be the subject of
their discussions and observations, all
were pleasantly surprised to see DR..
Hale coming up the trail. He had an
nounced that he would not visit the
summit until this morning, but when
he was told by telephone that the eXo-
dus had sarted he hurriedly summoned
| an automobile and Joined his fellow
scientists.
CLEAR NIGHT FOR OBSERVERS
1t was expected that some of the
visitors would peep through the big
siXty-inch reflecting telescope last
night, but the Mt. Wilson professors
were busily engaged in taking obser-
vations along the regular lines. The
sky was exceptionally clear and the
view from the top of the mountain
looking out over the broad expanse of
the great San Gabriel valley, over
Pasadena and on to Los Angeles, San
Pedro and even far away Catalina
was grand beyond description and the
visitors crowded about the points of
vantage and silently gazed at the
scenery before them.
Taps was sounded early and every
| one went to bed early to be ready for
the work which will be taken up this
morning. The forenoon will be occu-
! pied with the report of the executive
committee, Professor Arthur Schuster
Victoria Park, Manchester, England
! DR.. George e. Hale and Professor A.
Rico, Observatorie Astrofisico, Ca
tania, Italy. DR.. Hale will also deliver
| his opening address.
The sessions today will be presided
| over by Professor E. c. Pickering,
| Harvard university observatory. Cam
bridge, Mass During the afternoon
session Professor Fl. Kayser, Univer-
sity Bonn, Bonn, Germany, will lead
! the discussion of STANDARD Wave
| Lengths"
|