STUDY OF THE HEAVENS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16821, 20 August 1920, Page 4

STUDY OF THE HEAVENS.

THE OBSERVATORY OPENED. AN IMPORTANT EVENT. The New Plymouth Observatory, anticipation of which has aroused a great deal of interest, is now in actual existence. 'iho opening ceremony took place on Thursday aiternooli in the presence of about 100 members of the Astronomical Society and other people. The mysteries of space and the heavenly bodies hold a fascination, evwi lor the groat majority of people who do not pursue the study .beyond idle wondering when a clear night compels notice of tho obvious features or tho infinite canopy above. Therefore it may be expected that full use will be made of the powerful six-inch telescope in tho observatory when arrangements for access have been completed. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Jas. Clarke) presided. He referred to the strenuous campaign of tho Astronomical Society which liad resulted in the building of the dome and tho securing of to fine an instrument and congratulated all concerned. He then called on tho president of the society (Mr. S. Percy .Smith, F.R.G.S.) to open tho observatory. Mr. Percy Smith said that this was a great day for the New Plymouth Astronomical Society. They had been working for some time and had now reached a certain point, but not the height of their ambition. Though only one telescope was yet in the observatory', the society was in the fortunate position of having two. _ They had been extraordinarily lucky in getting two beautiful instruments for the price that would ordinarily have had to bo paid for one. The second one was a much more powerful one than that already mounted. In due time- arrangements would be made for tho members of the society and the general public to be able to use tho observatory on two or three nights in the, week. Mr. Smith took tho opportunity (on behalf of Die society) of thanking tho people of New Plymouth most heartily for the support they had given; without that support the society could not have got to the stage at which they had now arrived. He.expressed the hope that further willing help would be extended in connection 'with the second telescope, which was to come. AH. Percy Smith spoke of the immense benefits which the observatory could extend in spreading knowledge of the science of astronomy, which was one of tho oldest and also most exact.' He particularly mentioned the school children.

The door giving entrance to the clonic was then opened by Mr. Percy Smith and the Rov. ,0. Blundell demonstrated the use of tho telescope. Before doing so he made a few remarks, in the course of which he mentioned that the 'society had been determined to secure the best available site in New Plymouth, and had secured it in the form of the portion of Marsiand Hill on ,which:,the dome stood. in connection with the erection of the dome and the mounting of the telescope, the society had been fortunate in securing the aid of Mr. A. W. Burrell, of Stratford, a practical astronomer. Air. Blundell made very appreciative reference to the efficient manner in which Air. Burrell had carried out this work.

.The weather was not very pleasant, there being a cVilly south-east breeze and the sun being almost wholly obscured by clouds, but Alt. Egmont and the ranges stood out clearly in their bold grandeur. It was on the snowclad summit of the mountain that the telescope was focussed in order to allow those present to test its powers. The Mayoress was the first lady to use tho instrument. An indication of its magnifying power is contained in the fact that only one peak of the summit could be seen through the lens at the one time; the, mountain was brought too close to enable the whole to come within view.