TRANSIT OF VENUS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 104, 30 September 1874, Page 4

TRANSIT OF VENUS.

[From the Press.']

The ship Merope has arrived from England and has brought the members of the scientific expedition sent out to Christchurch to observe the transit of Venus. It is not, of course, within our province to dilate upon the importance of the observations of this phenomenon which will be made next December. Most of our readers are probably aware that the primary object of them is to establish with certainty the exact distance of the Sun from the Earth. Many likewise know that the determination of this distance is not merely a scientific problem about which no one need trouble himself unless he happens to be of a scientific turn of mind, but also one having important practical bearings upon several points connected with our commercial interests. But this is not the place in which to enter upon any such questions. We desire, however, to make a remark or two in connection with this subject of the transit expedition, more especially as we imagine that it might be made, in another way, of great use to this colony. And first, we Temind our readers that two or three years ago a Society was formed here with the object of founding an observatory, and that at the very commencemeut of the scheme the hope was expressed that by December, 1874, we might be in a position to assist, though perhaps only in a small way, the observers of the transit sent out from home. In order to place this matter clearly before the public we may give a brief history of the steps taken up to the present time with this object. Very soon after the formation of the Society more than £2OO were received by subscription from the public. Application was made for assistance from the Provincial authorities, and with so much of success that a sum of money was promised on the condition that the Colonial Government should also assist. Application was likewise made to the chief scientific authorities at home,but, unfortunately, the Astronomer Royal, for one reason or another, did not give the scheme that cordial support which had been expected. Suspicion has, we believe, been felt that the coldness of Sir G. B. Airy was partly due to the exercise of unfavorable influence from certain quarters, curious as it might appear, in this Province itself. We can, of course, express no opinion on this point; but, be it as it may, the Colonial Legislature, on being made aware that the Astronomer Royal was not entirely favorable to the project, naturally declined to pledge itself to any great expenditure. It agreed, however, as we understand, to give assistance, on the condition that the Provincial Government should maintain the institution. As this was precisely what the Province wanted the Colonial Government to do the result was a dead-lock; and so, we believe, the matter has rested ever since. We have been informed that the Society still possesses its original funds, which are deposited in the Government Savings’ Bank at interest, and the sum must now amount to somewhere about £220. But for the last year, or nearly so, nothing further has been done. We strongly hold the opinion that it would be a great pity if the Province, indeed the colony, were to allow the project of the Observatory Society to fall through altogether. And we believe that the presence of the scientific gentlemen sent out to observe the transit of Venus points to an exceedingly favorable time for resuscitating the Society and making at least a beginning towards its object. We observe in an article lately published by our contemporary, the New Zealand Times , several statements regarding the British Expedition, taken from papers laid towards the end of the late session before the Assembly. According to these, amongst the instruments brought out from home are a transit instrument, two equatorial telescopes, an altazimuth, astronomical clocks, &e. Now every one of these would be exceedingly valuable for an observatory here, and, in all probability, would be quite sufficient foi such an institution, at least for a start. At the same time we should imagine that there would be no absolute necessity for carrying them back to England, and as, we suppose, every expedition sent to other places with the same purpose is equally well supplied, it is obvious that most, if not all, of the instruments would have to be disposed of, that is, parted with, as soon as they have done the special work for which they have been procured. Why, then, should they go back at all? We have here a Society, dormant it is true, but possessing certain fuuds, and composed of several members who have still their original object at heart. Would it not be possible for this Society to arrange with the members of the English expedition for the purchase of their instruments? We cannot say what their value may

be, although we should presume that no very hard bargain would be driven for them. But whether they were pur chased outright, or retained in the colony uuder agreement to purchase within a certain time, we think that the opportunity is one which should not be let slip, and it is certainly one which will never occur again. The first hope of the Society, namely, to have an Observatory ready built and able to give assistance by December, 1874, has fallen to the ground. We should be glad, therefore, to see that the arrival of the English observers can be made useful to us, and the best way to bring about this end would be to arrange for the purchase of their instruments. With these in hand the Society might with very much greater hope of success go hereafter to the Provincial Council, and to the Colonial Legislature for assistance towards the erection and maintenance of the necessary buildings. We have already on former occasions given expression to our views on the general question of founding an Observatory in this colony. We are not of the number of those who look upon these things as toys for the amusement of a select few, for we can undertand the immense practical advantages to he derived from such institutions. Therefore, we hope that some steps may be taken to carry out the suggestion which we have just made. If the funds of the Astronomical Society are not at present sufficient to buy the instruments outright, it is probable that some arrangement may be made for future purchase. Why, in fact, should not the Canterbury College come forward to help ? Even looked on from the standpoint of Education, the value of an Observatory is apparent. And whilst we cannot, under the circumstances, blame either the Provincial or the Colonial authorities for the failure, so far, of the proposal, we may express the opinion that both these bodies will look with far more favor on the application of the Society if, backed by the College, it comes forward with a portion of what we may call the “plant” of the Observatory in its hands.