He conducted some preliminary measurements using largely improvised equipment in 1878, about the same time that his work came to the attention of Simon Newcomb, director of the Nautical Almanac Office who was already advanced in planning his own study.
Levou a cabo algunhas medicións preliminares con equipos improvisados en gran medida en 1878, período no que os seus traballos chamaron a atención de Simon Newcomb, director do Nautical Almanac Office, que xa estaba moi adiantado nos seus proxectos de medición.