(V) So long as the incoming streams are very numerous the outgoing ones will, in a great measure, be stopped, so that, after the interval t, there will be comparatively few returning streams; a direct result of this state of things is to allow free passage for the outgoing streams, which, since there are now but few collisions, results in (1) an apparent diminution in the brightness of the corona, (2) more regular and sharply defined detail, and (3) in general a more uniformly illuminated solar surface might be expected, when there are but few or no returning streams. (The periodic character of this intermittent motion can be well illustrated by means of a fine vertical jet of water. The vertical vibratory motion of a light ball, often to be seen in water fountains, is also a good illustration.) (VI) If the ejective force is such as to make about five years, a complete cycle of changes will take place in the time 2 t, and after the same manner as is observed in the sun-spot cycle. It is rather remarkable that the aphelion distance of the streams corresponding to this value of t is nearly the same as Jupiter's distance from the sun; so that the perturbations produced by this planet may have more to do with the regularity of the period than the assumed constant force of ejection. The initial velocity required to just carry a particle from the sun to Jupiter is but little less than a parabolic velocity. For an initial parabolic velocity Saturn, alone considered, would, on the same hypothesis, cause a complete cycle of less marked changes in twenty years, Uranus in sixty years, and Neptune in one hundred and twenty years. The comparatively insignificant planets inside of the orbit of Jupiter would cause minor variations, corresponding to cycles, which, even for Mars, would be of less than two years duration. (VII) The chance of the earth passing through one of these outgoing streams, which have a mean latitude of 15° is less than it is for an incoming perturbed stream. (VIII) A phenomenon similar to the observed zodiacal light would result from the projection of many such streams in space, and the observed extent of this light proves that the matter which causes this illumination extends to greater distances from the sun than the earth's distance. PREDICTIONS RELATING TO THE ANNULAR ECLIPSE OF THE SUN, JUNE 6, 1891. The following data, additional to those already given on page 67, may be useful. Position angle of the points of first and last contact (counted from N. through E.) For Mt. Hamilton; first 288° 19′; last 28° 56', UNITED STATES NAVAL OBSERVATORY. J. M. S. From the Report of the Superintendent (Captain F. V. MCNAIR, U. S. Navy) for 1890 the following paragraph is extracted: "Out of the corps of twelve professors of mathematics in the Navy, there are now only six who are on duty as astronomers; one of the ablest of these will be retired shortly, leaving but five for service at the Observatory and Nautical Almanac Office. The issuing of the annual volumes of the observatory has been for years falling farther and farther behind, until now publication is five years behind the observations, and the amount of work done has been growing less and less. Important improvements in instruments and in methods of observation, as well as new and equally important lines of research, many of which are actively pushed forward at the principal Government observatories, have here been entirely neglected on account of the lack of practical astronomers to make independent observations and to carry on special investigations in conjunction with other observatories. * * * "From the organization of this naval institution, its personnel must be drawn principally from officers of the Navy; and it is necessary to appoint some professors of mathematics, astronomers of known experience, as it is mainly to this corps that the observatory has to look for aid to keep up its astronomical reputation. "It is scarcely necessary to add that, when the new Naval Observatory is completed and equipped, the force of astronomers and assistant astronomers will have to be materially increased if the observatory is to be worthy of our great and progressive country." The Government Observatory ought to be the chief astronomical establishment of the country and equal to any similar institution in the world. For some years past it has been falling behind its true rank, as is pointed out by the Superintendent. A fine observatory building is nearly completed and, in a short time, the instruments will be transferred to their new home. For every reason it is desirable that some change of policy should mark the beginning of the new epoch, and that the observatory should take its legitimate place at the head of astronomical science in America. There is no reason why this cannot be done (nor in fact is there any good reason why it should have lost that position). nomical effort must be directed by a competent astronomer. To take its proper place its astro It is a matter for consideration whether the astronomical head shall be also the official chief or not. One thing is essential and that is, that there shall be one astronomical head and only one, and that he shall have command of sufficient money to insure that the instruments are in perfect working order, that the observations are properly made, quickly reduced, adequately discussed and promptly printed. The chief astronomer will require the aid of four or five heads of departments (The Meridian Service, The Equatorial Service, The Photographic Service, The Magnetic and Meteorological Service, The Computing Bureau) who must be specialists of distinction. These, again, must be assisted by younger astronomers and specialists of ability and of skill, who see such a future before them as will attach them to the service and induce them to give their lives to it. Fifteen or twenty such assistants of various grades will be needed. Such an organization as this will place the observatory where it should be, and no other one will. It is a source of the deepest satisfaction to all well-wishers of the Naval Observatory that the present Superintendent has expressed so clearly his judgment on this fundamental point. He says "it is mainly to (astronomers of known experience) that the observatory has to look for aid to keep up its astronomical reputation." This is Gospel Truth. There is no other way. If this method is adopted the country will have a central observatory to be proud of. If any of the old timid or temporizing methods are tried once more we shall once more have the unsatisfactory and inadequate results. We shall not only have them, but we shall richly deserve them. The Superintendent can count on the efficient support of the astronomers of the country in his efforts for reform in this direction, and so long as the main principle is kept in view, matters of detail go for little. EDWARD S. HOLDEN. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE DIRECTORS, HELD IN SAN FRANcisco, at 408 CALIFORNIA STREET, JANUARY 31, 1891. Vice-President PIERSON presided in the absence of President HOLDEN. A quorum was present. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The following fifty-six members were duly elected: A. E. ADAMS, MEMBERS ELECTED JANUARY 31, 1891.* H. A. ALLEN, CHARLES A. BACON, A. C. BEHR, Dr. H. H. Belfield, F. G. BLINN, Miss HARRIETTA C. BUTLER, C. O. BORING, FRANCIS BRADLEY, Mrs. RUTH W. BREWSTER, JOSEPH BROOK, D. H. BURNHAM, R. L. J. ELLERY, Dr. M. D. EWELL, Miss JOSEPHINE Harker, W. E. HALE, ORRIN E. HARMON, Miss CAROLINE C. JACKSON, S. E. HOLDEN, E. BURTON HOLMES, Professor G. W. HOUGH, A. KEITH, Hon. A. KING, 4020 Drexel Boulevard, Chicago, Ill. Manual Training School, Chicago, Ill. Care J.V. FARWELL & CO., Chicago, Ill. 145 Oakwood Boulevard, Chicago, Ill. {Trigonometric Survey, Sydney, New Rookery Building, Chicago, Ill. 5729 Kimbark Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 97 Clark Street, Chicago, Ill. 4545 Drexel Boulevard, Chicago, Ill. 229 Michigan Boulevard, Chicago, Ill. Dearborn Observatory, Evanston, Ill. Riverside, Cal. Julian Street, San José, Cal. (See Publ. A. S. P., vol. II, p. 261.) Professor GUSTAV C. LUEBEN, WILLIAM S. MOSES, F. S. OSBORNE. 215 Geary Street, S. F., Cal. Supt. Masonic Cemetery, S. F., Cal. A star signifies Life-Membership. Addresses in italics are not within the Universal Posta Union. RUTHVEN W. PIKE,* G. W. RITCHEY, Rev. E. H. RUDD, D. D., FRANK M. SMITH, H. C. SWAIN, J. R. STEWARD, I. E. THAYER, Professor C. B. THWING, MISS SARA CARR UPTON, A. W. WAGNER, E. J. WHITE, . Rev. E. F. WILLIAMS, D. D., 166 Lasalle Street, Chicago, Ill. Care D. B. FISK & Co., Chicago, Ill. Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. (2109 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washing {2109 Pennsy First National Bank, Joliet, Ill. Observatory, Melbourne, Victoria. 4018 Drexel Boulevard, Chicago, Ill. 222 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Ill. 805 Pine Street, S. F., Cal. AMENDMENT TO THE BY-LAWS. The following Amendment to the By-Laws was duly adopted by the consenting votes of ten Directors, namely Messrs. ALVORD, BURCKHALTER, GRANT, HILL, HOLDEN, MOLERA, PIERSON, SCHAEBERLE, Soulé, Ziel. Article XVI (see Publ. A. S. P., vol. II, page 36.) ARTICLE XVI. In order to increase the usefulness of the Society, any groups of its members residing in the same neighborhood (except in the City and County of San Francisco, State of California) are authorized to form local organizations which shall be known as "The Section of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific." No section shall be formed except by the consent of the Board of Directors of the parent Society. The proceedings of such sections may be printed in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, either in full or in abstract, and the parent Society shall not be in any way responsible for publications made elsewhere. No person not a member of this Society in good standing shall be eligible to membership in a section, nor shall membership in a section interfere in any way with the status of the person as a member of this Society. The special expenses of each section shall be borne by the group of members composing it, and this Society shall not be liable for any debts incurred by any section. Under the provisions of this Amendment a Chicago Section has effected an organization with the following local officers : EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE It was, on motion, G. A. DOUGLASS, Chairman, R. W. PIKE, C. B. THWING, M. D. EWELL. Resolved that the Chicago Section of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific is hereby authorized and duly recognized. |
