Evening star., 1947-11-24
Observatory Site
To Be in East,
Navy Decides
Further Study Due
Before Selection
Is Made Finally
By WilIiom J. WheotIey

The new site for the Naval
Observatory is to be east of the
Blue Ridge Mountains and will
be somewhere between Wash
ington and Front Royal, Va, it
was learned today. 1t will prob
ably require IS months to select
a site in the area indicated.
But Capt. Guy w. Clark, super
intendent of the observatory which
has been for many years at OBJ
servatory Circle on Massachusetts,
avenue NV, said the decision tc
locate the new observatory east OF
the Blue Ridge range came as q
result of report of two scientists
of the observatory who toured the
country to get the opinions of many
scientists.
They all agreed that the institu-
ton should remain in the East
ne said
Made General Survey.
The preliminary Investigations
were conducted by G. M. Clemence
and C. B, Watts, Naval Observatory
astronomers. They visited scientists
and astronomers at Princeton Uni
versity, New York City, Yale, Har-
ward, University Of Wisconsin, Will
liams Bay. Wis; Mount Wilson
Calf, and Mount Hamilton, Calf
There is considerable detailed
study to be made before definite
site is selected. Capt. Clark said
Temperatures, atmospheric condi-
tions, freedom from dust and heavy
traffic shocks all must be taken into
consideration.
Already plans are being made to
send out couple of field parties to
set up temporary observatories in
the general area. and to study the
conditions. This will require a
year.
Later caravans will be sent out
from the institution here to make
other observations. Subsequently
all reports will be subjected to in
tense study before final decision is
made Capt. Clark estimated this
will take at least 18 months.
Nearby Location Important.
One of the reasons for determine
tior to locate the site east of the
Blue Ridge range was that it should
be close to Washington. OF prime
Importance is the fact that special
force at the Government Printing
Office handles the printing of the
data which is constantly being de-
veloped and issued for astronomers,
scientists and mariners.
The observatory's work in posi-
tional astronomy does not require
that it be located close to its present
but it was declared to be
that the new observatory
be located in approximately the
same latitude as the present in
stitution. This fact, together with
the, decision to place 1t. east of the
Blue Ridge, means that 1t will be
between Washington and Front
Royal, Va.
There is considerable open space
in this area beyond Fairfax County,
Va, which will give those who will
conduct the tests a broad area in
which to work.
Estimates for funds are beina pre-
pared for Congress in the hope that
appropriations will be available for
the purchase of the site Immediately
upon selection of the area. These
are expected to include money for
buildings to house the telescope and
other instruments, as we'll as the
delicate time clocks used in the time
service, which is becoming increas-
ingly more important.
Capt. Clark said the electric COM
panies throughout the country de-
pend heavily on this time service
in the adjustment of their loads,
and the growth Of electronics makes
it vastly important in the control
of the hundreds of frequencies used.