The Transit of Venus.

Southland Times, Issue 4498, 9 December 1882, Page 2

The Transit of Venus.

Subjoined are telegraphic accounts of the transit at the most important stations throughout the colonies : — Wellington, Dec. 7. A superb morning broke on this eventful dite, that off the long looked for transit of "Venus. Hardly a cloud was to be been, or a breath of wind felt when the sun first rose. There was, as there had been all nght, a good deal of that atmospheric disturbance, known as " boiling," which cuised the solar disc at times almost to resemble a circular saw, and rendered all precision of definition impossible ; but aa tie morning wore on, this passed away, aad there was at the critical moment perfect stillness and definition. The dark b)dy of the planet could plainly be seen e r en with the unaided eye, protected by a smoked glass, as the sun rose, and it remained visible to the end. Just before ejress some light flc3ey clouds passed eistward, causing apprehension lest at the supreme instant of internal contact the observation should thus be marred. Fortunately the fear proved groundless, the clouds passed by, and at the time of contact, th« clearness and stillness could hardly have been excelled. As Venus slowly passed off the sun, the curious appearanco which was presented in 1874, of the sun having a small semicircular notch cut in the upper edge of his disc was seen. By 7.52, a.m. all was over, and it only remained to compute and compare the results. The success of the Ne»v Zealand observations was almost complete. Col. Tupman, at Burnham, Mr McKerrow and Mr Adams at Mount Cook. Wellington ; the VeD. Archdeacon Stock and Mr King, Thorndon, Wellington ; Mr Shannon and Mr Littlejohn, Terrace, Wellington ; Mr Marchant and Captain Hewitt, Wairarapa ; Mr Humphries, New Plymouth ; and Professor Smith and Mr Pritchard, of the American observing party (Auckland), all report thoroughly satisfactory observations of both internal and external egress contact. The American party, moreover, have been successful in taking no fewer than 75 splendid photographs of the transit. Mr W. &. Gibbs. of Wellington, has taken several excellent Dhotographa of the transit in its different stages. It would hardly be possible for more perfect accomplishment to have been achieved of the aspiiations of so many years than that which has on this occasion rewarded New Zealand observers. The only failures among the more important observations was that of Dr Hector, ut Clyde, Otago, whose view was vexatiously intercepted by a dense cloud almost at the very instant of contact. There are, however, amply sufficient complete observations for all the purposes aimed at, CirEiSTCHURCH, Dec. 7. There was beautiful weather this morning for the transit. The sun rose clear of clouds, and for nearly 20 minutes Venua could be easily seen with the naked eye. There was a bank of clouds a few degrees above the horizon which acted as a screen for some time, but moat of the time th e atmosphere was quite clear. The observe's at Buruham were equally fortunate, and Colonel Tupman is well pleased with bja work in consequence. He had two telescopes going, one worked, by himself

with 'aid of Mrs Tupman and Mr Gell; who was in charge of the galvanometer ;.th« other superintended by Lieutenant and Mrs yjOoke, aietlcl by Mr White, telegraphist. On notes it was found that won;derfully^wjsimiliar; observations had teen >takep. '"*<£}*], ' '" y - ■.'■:.•:'[' ■'-':.' K Melbourne, Dec. 7. j The observation of the transit of Venus -from' {he Melbourne station was successful.. It was somewhat cloudy at sunrise, but the clouds' cleared off before the critical time. Twenty- three good photographs were obtajine^..^.. ..,..,..,„.,,.... ....... ..._.,.,. . .-. .... , '•••"••-••"•■"'■.■■■ Hobart, Dec. 7. The observations of -the transit of Venus were completely -successful this morning. The weather was very favorable, and the observers consider ;: the. results perfect throughout'. I •■■.■■' '7 .1 :■'•'■. " '. Adelaide, Dec. 8. The observations of the transit of Venus at Wcntworth was" successful. The weather wasiclearj and good views of the internal 'and external contact were obtained. i At Brisbane,' Sydney, and in Gippsknd clouds and. rain prevented observations. This is more to be regretted as regards Brisbane, as a party of English astronomers were located there. .