AT THE OBSERVATORY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1223, 4 September 1911, Page 3

AT THE OBSERVATORY.

"SHOOTING STARS." Shooting stars are familiar phenomena, but the shootiug of stars as it is carried on at tho Kelbumo Observatory is a thing which has no relation to the rapiil flight of a meteor or meteorite across the sky. Tho tjiiiitiafed may bo helped b understand what "shooting a t'tar' menus if they remember that, the noon observation taken by the navigator of a ship has been described in nautical novels innumerable as "shooting the sun." Stars are not made the targets of any ordinary artillery. The principal agent in the imaginary bombardment to which they are subjected from this particular paint 1: the planet Earth—apart from a skilled astronomer—is a transit telcscope, neatly mounted and delicately adjusted, which stands in an inner room of the observatory. This instrument was on Saturday the centre of an interested group. The observatory had been thrown open to the public and the visitors who attended were sufficient in number to tart its accommodation. It had been intended that the fine five-inch Cook equatorial telescope, which was presented to the local Astronomical Society by Mr. A. Hamilton, should bo mounted at 4.30 p.m. in order that visitors might have tho edification of studying the moon and any other handy target. A riotous nor'-wester and driving clouds spoiled the programme of the day to some extent, but in spite of these disabilities the visitors found much to .interest them in the somewhat humble ob■servatory which is all that Wellington can as yet boast of. A number of members of tho Astronomical Society were present, among them the president (Mr. C. P. Powles), Mr. A. Hamilton (Director of Observatories), Dr. Kennedy, Professor Picken, and Messrs. C. E. Admas (astronomical observer), E. D. Bell, and A. C. Clifford (secretary). Captain Hcaner of the Amokura was present and assisted with tho instruments. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward, Bart.) forwarded an apology for absence. The visitors included tho Hon. Geo. Fowlds and Mrs. low-Ids, Sir A. E. Guinness and Lady Guinness, the Hons. .T. Anstey and G. Jones, and a number of members of Parliament and others with their womenfolk. The weather conditions being unsuitable for ordinary observation work, a majority of the visitors gathered around the transit telescope, while Mr. Adams explained the purpose which that, useful instrument serves. It is so mo inted that it can bo trained to command any given point on a meridian line. Tho moment of a star's passage across this point is noted with exactitude ly ths ai:l of cross-wires and a del'cate measuring appamtus This accomplished, tho star has been "shot,", the time has been ascertained, and any error in the sidereal clock which stands near at hand his been made apparent. Tho sidereal time is converted into mean time on clocks placed in a neighbouring room. Though hampered by the reigning conditions, Mr. Adrms gave a demonstration of the working of the 'transit telescope, and the Hon. G.,Fowlds and others had the pleasure of "shooting a star." Mr. Adams nic-ntioned that it is proposed to instal signal lanips at the observatory, by means of vhich the correct time will be signalled to shipping in the harbour. In tho latter part of the afternoon the Cook equatorial telescope was temporarily mounted in the open air and pointed at tho moon. The instrument has a remarkably clear definition, and a number of the visitors took interested peeps at tho lunai -"••and other features of the moon which tho telescope, which is so mounted a: transit telescope, which is sp mounted a; to command only a meridian line run- ' ning north and south, the Cook equatorial • telescope can be trained to any point oi the commss. north, south, east, or west Eventually it will be fitted with a clock. • work attachment, by means of wliieh having once been set. it. will automatically follow.the course of any star or othei ■ body upoi which it has been trained ■ This greatlv facilitates tho work of ob . serration, for it means that a star, 01 ■ other bodv, remains uninterruptedly ir • tho field of view, without any exertion or • the part' 6/the observer. ', A permane.nj 5. home for the telescope is to be providcc in a building which it is proposed tc i on a- portion of the abandoned Fori Kelburno site, near to the'present obser ) vntory.' The work is at present delave< i pending tho passage of legislation author - ising the use of tho site for tho purpose; of an observatory. ; An interesting, departure in cor.neetior i with the astronomical has lately i been initiated by Mr. J. T\ Firth, prin' - cinal of the Wellinston College. He lins offered to dona to the sum of toward; - the cast of n small observatory ami astro ! noniieal telescope if the boys of the col i ieire raise another .£2flfl. A knoll in tin college grounds,' admirably adapted foi the purpose, is available as an observatory site. A number of Old Boys have been communicated with upon tho subject, and it is hoped that a snfiicienl . response may be made to enable th f work to bo commenced be f oro tho one 9 of the year. Anart from the immediate 1 educational benefit to the boys it is considered that the establishment of an oba servatory at the college would make it a valuable recruiting ground for tho Astronomical Society.