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U-
REPORT
OF THE
CANADIAN OBSERVATIONS
OF tHS
TRANSIT OF VENUS.
6th DECEMBER, 1882.
/
/
HEPORT
OF THE
CANADIAN OBSERVATIONS
OF THE
TRANSIT OF VENUS,
6th DECEMBER, 1882.
OBSERVATORY, TORONTO,
13th May, 1883.
To THE Hon. A. W. MoLelan,
Mnister of Marine and MsherieSf
Ottawa. '
Sib,
I have tho honor to report in reference to the preparation for, and results of
the observations in Canada of tne Transit of Yenus of 6th Dec, 1882.
Having, in tho spring of last year, had the honor to be entrusted by the Govern-
ment with the general arrangements, in Canada, for observing the transit, and with
procuring the necessary instrumental equipment, I instructed Lieut. Gordon, R. N.,
to proceed to England, and purchase various instruments, and to take the opportunity
of visiting Oxfoi"d, to ascertain the exact way in which the English observers were
being trained, and if possible himself to obtain some instruction. I also requested
him to endeavour to obtain a practice model for use in Canada, as the time was very
short for having anything made. In carrying out these instractions he was fortunate
enough to be successful in every particular ; he also obtained from the Admiralty
the loan of four Chronometers.
Early in September the model was erected at McGill University, Montreal, and
Dp, Jack, President of the New Brunswick University, Professors Johnson and
MoLeod, of McGill University, and Mr. Chandler, practised with me in taking observ-
ations of the contacts on the model. It is unnecessary to enter into any details of this
practice ; I may, however, state that Professor McLeod who was the only one of the
party who succeeded in obtaining observations of the actual transit, nearly always
agreed with myself, within half a second, in the time he assigned to the contacts ;
except when the circumstances of observation were very unfavourable owing to
tremor from passing vehicles, or when sudden changes in the illumination occurred,
which sometimes happened when the mirror in connection with the model was used.
After leaving Montreal, I visited Quebec, Fredericton, and Kingston, and on my
rettim to Toronto, ordered such smsJl additional apfdiancea as were necessary to
ootli|^6te the equipment of these observatories for the purpose of the transit,
3
Daring my absence Lient. Gordon had visited Woodstock, and ascertained what
was necessary to be done at the observatory there.
In November the model was sot up on the tower of the University Buildings,
Toronto, and the following gentlemen attended for practico :— Proiossor Williamson,
Queen's University, KingHton, Professor Bain, and Dr. Haancl, Victoria University,
Cobourg, Professor Wolverton, Baptist College, Woodstock, Profef-sor Hare, Ladies
College, Whitby, Messrs. F. L Bluke, D.L.S., W. Millar, and S. E. Roberts, Toronto,
and Mr. Shearman, Brantford ; as did also several members of the staff of the Meteoro-
logical office.
Arrangements had now been made for taking observations at the following
places:
WiNNiPBQ. — Observer — Prof. McLeod; assistant, H. V. Payne. Instruments— A
four inch Achromxiic Telescope Alt. Azimuth Mounting, a Transit
Instrument, two Chronometers.
Woodstock. — Observer — Prof. Wolverton. Instrument — an eight inch Befractor, by
Fitz of N. Y. ; aperture reduced to six inches .
Toronto. — Observer — Charles Carpmaol, Director of the Observatory, assisted by
members of the stalf. Instruments — a six inch Equatorial, by
T. Co'^'' & Sons, York ; a three inch Transit instrument, con-
strue by Troughton & Simras, London ; Sidereal Clock, Arnold,
London, Chas. Frodsham, No. 84 ; a Mean Time Clock, Chrono-
meters, &c.
WHiTBr. — Observer— Prof. Hare, Ladies' College; a six inch Telescope by Fitz
of N. Y.
GoBOURO. — Observer — Prof. Bain, Victoria University ; a four and a quarter inch
Telescope by Smith, Beck & Beck, London.
JKiNQSTON. — Observer — Prof. Williamson ; assistant Prof. Dupuis. Instruments— A
six and a half inch Equatorial, by Alvan Clark & Sons, of Cam-
bridgeport, Mass. The Beaufoy Transit instrument; Clock by
Prof. Dupuis, etc.
Bbllxville.— Observer — Mr. Shearman, four inch Achromatic.
Ottawa. — Observer — ^F. L. Blake, D.L.S., assistant Mr. B. C. Webber. Instruments —
A four inch Achromatic from McGill University ; a Transit in-
strument lent by the Department of the Interior.
Montreal. — Observer — Prof. Johnson. Instruments — A six and a quarter inch
Achromatic, and a Trandt instrument, etc.
QusBEO. — Observer — Lieut. Gordon, R, N., assistant W. A. Ashe, D. L. S. Instru-,
ments — ^An eight inch Equatorial, by Alvan Clark & Sons, aperture
reduced to six inches.
Halifax. — Observer — Mr. A. Allison. Instruments — A four inch Achromatic, by
Dollond.
Charlottetown. — Observer — H. J. Cundall, C. E. Instrument — ^A four inch Achro-
matic.
Frbdsricton. — Observer — Dr. Jack. Instruments — A seven inch Equatorial reduced
to star inches, a Transit instrument, etc.
As the instant at which certain phases appeared had to be noted, it was essential
to the saccess of the observations that the various observers should have correct time,
nrrangements were aecordirgly made with the Great North Western, and WestorQ
i
TTnion Telegraph Companies, for an exchange of time signals, the observers at
Halifax, Fredericton, and also at Alontreal, exchanged time with Lieut. Gordon at
Quebec ; and Quebec, Montreal and all points in Ontario, with myself at Toronto, we
had thus on the night before the Transit, a complete interchange between all stations,
with the exception of Winnipeg ; and it was further arranged that those stations,
where observations were pecured, should come on again for a second interchange on
the night after the Transit, and accordingly, on the night of the 6th I again ex-
changed time with Cobourg, Belleville, Kingston and Ottawa, and also with Montreal.
Prof. Mclieod also luade a determination of the longitude of his station at Winnipeg,
by exchange of time signals with Prof. Hough of the " Dearborn " Observatory,
Chicago, the .Telegraph Companies both in the United States, and Canada placing
the wires at our disposal for the exchange of these signals without making any
charge.
On the day of the Transit, the stations at which contacts were secured were:—
Winnipeg. — The two last contacts.
Cobourg. — Third contact, atmosphere, however, very unsteady.
Belleville. — Third contact, imperfect.
Kingston. — The second, third and fourth contacts.
Ottawa.— -The second, third and fourth contticts.
Before proceeding to the Eeports of the various observers, it will be well to con-
sider the errors of the Time-pieces employed. At all the stations, with the exception
of Winnipeg, the times may be indirectly compared with the Toronto Clock, there
having, as already stated, been an Interchange both on the night preceding, and on the
night following the Transit.
I have taken great pains to ascertain, as closely as I could, what were the errors
of the Toronto Sidereal Clock on the two nights in question. In doing this I have
met with unexpected difficulties, on examining the rates for the last eighteen years,
during which no change has been made in the adjustment of the Clock, I find that
the mean daily rates for the various months were as shewn in the following table :—
TABLE
Shewing Mean of Daily Bates of Sidereal Cock in each Mol '^^h, obtained from 18 years
observations.
MONTH.
Mean Bate.
Mean
Pressure.
Mean
Temperature.
Bate,
+ 01
January. . .
February ■
March
AprtI
May
June
July
August . . • ■
September.
October ...
November.
December.
-2-41W
1-8920
1-7496
2-0637
2-8917
3-6429
3-9177
3 8571
3-6901
8-5706
3-8350
2-8820
29-661
•646
•614
21-887
22-891
—2 0666
1-6212
1-
•567
40 719
14041
•676
62-681
20399
•570
62-666
2-6277
•679
68 677
28061
•615
67-1)67
2-7708
•671
59-547
272M
•649
47 286
2-8064
•6:«
84-840
27706 .
•641
25 407
2'42IM
The fi^ares shew that the Clock is nqder compensated for temperature : bnt tb«
larger portion of the variation in Bate, does not seem to be due to dilferences of temper-
ature. If we take the residual temperature correction as '0162 T, the rates for the
months of July, Aug. Sept. Oct. and Nov., are brought into every close agreement,
the losing rate then rapidly diminishes, and reaches its minimum in March, after
which time it again rises, the rates as at temperature zero, with the correction
•0162 T, applied, are shewn in column five of the Table.
The only way in which I can account for this, is by supposing that there must
be a periodic shifting of the foundations of the Clock, which affects its rate. This
supposition will perfectly account for the minimum occurring in March, when the
amount of fi'ost in the ground has reached its maximum. The lapidity with which the
changes take place, varies a good deal from year to year, and at the beginning of
December lusb, seems to have been unusually rapid, in obtaining the errors at various
times, I have assumed, as being in close agreement with the observations, that the
losing rate was diminishing at this time by '07, of a second per day, independently
of the Temperature residual of -0162 T. The adopted errors of the Clock, when it
shewed 12 hours, on the different days, were accordingly, as follows :
Date.
Error.
Daily Bate.
h. m.
s.
B.
Nov: 28
5 16
50-88
3-28
'• 29
54-16
8-20
« 30
57-36
3-15
Deo. 1
60-61
3-13
<. 2
63-64
3-02
« 3
66*66
2-91
« 4
69-57
2-89
" 6
72-46
2-86
" 6
75-32
2-76
« 7
78-08
2-61
« 8
80-69
2-48
In taking the Transits fnc time, the collimation error was obtained by reflection
from mercury, the le^rei error was determined frequently, but I have been compelled
to assume a uulfurm Azimuth error from the 29th of November to tfae 8th of Decern*
her, as the weather was such that it was impossible to obtain satisfactory observations
for determining the error of Azimuth between these dates, the agreement, however,
between the errors obtained, from stars of different Declinations, was such, as
showed, that any residual error was small as compared with the uncertainty of the
Clock,
N
1)4
*
It
u
I
01
I
The following is an abstract of the observations for time .—
Date.
Not. 29
I)ea2.,
" 8..
." 4..
" 1.
" 7..
Htar.
S Dracouis
Y AqulliB
a ••
Sun
a Ophiuohl
V2 Ursae maj.
a Cor. Bor.
o SerpentiB
II DraoonlB
II Draconis
• y «
y Gygni
1^
•2 El
a Cephei
P Aquarll
*p Cephei
« Pegasl
Corrected
Clock. Time
01 Transit.
h. m. 8.
13 65 34 63
14 23 4682
14 28 9 61
11 22 40-61
12 12 22 72
10 8 88-12
10 12 30-71
10 21 17-41
11 6 9-40
U 5 108
12 10 25-05
12 86 31-13
15 40 87
16 20 5-66
15 85 27-96
16 58 26-81
16 8 3-50
16 9 48 01
16 21 5 94
R. A.
h. m. 8.
iO 12 2011
19 40 41-38
10 45 4 04
18 SO 47 28
17 29 rJ-32
16 20 50-43
15 29 12 09
15 38 29-54
16 22 21-78
16 22 21-62
17 27 45 35
17 43 51 48
20 18 1 27
20 37 2609
aO 52 48-36
21 15 46 69
21 ae 23-92
21 27 808
21 88 26-46
Clock glow.
UbHorved.
h. m. 8.
6 16 54 48
54-66
54-43
5 17 0-07
6-60
12 81
12-28
12-13
12 88
20-54
20 30
20 36
20 40
20-44
20-40
20 38
20 42
20-07
20 52
Calcd.
54-42
64 48
64 49
6-68
G59
1223
24
-26
20 60
•71
•75
21-00
03
00
-10
-12
-12
•14
0-0.
B.
006
0-08
-0-oe
0-00
-08
•04
- -13
•06
- -08
- -41
- -40
- 60
-•69
- •a
- ^72
- -70
-lOS
--88
• Three wires only.
The large (iiscordanoe between the observed and calculated errorp on the 7th,
I ascrihe to the rapid fall of temperature when the sKt of the transit room was
opened, the thin rod of the pendulum taking up the temperature of the air much
faster than the large mass of mercury in the bob.
In the interchange of time, Chronometer, Eussell & Son's No. 7,050 was em-
ployed, and the following errors were obtained by comparison, by the method of
simultaneous beat between it and the Sidereal Clock : —
h.
m.
s.
8.
Dec. 4th
4
1
13-25 .
Slow 26-39
5th
22
35
24-
26-99
5th
4
55
35-25
2 J -04
5th
20
30
25-
26-58
6th
4
50
45-
26-38
6th
10
8
45'5
26-24
7th
5
10
55-
26-27
7th
22
26
47*5
27-10
13th
21
47
24-
31-56
15th
1
5
47.
31-08
From these I have taken, as the errors at che times at which the interchange of
time took place, tho fbllcying :—
Deo. 6th throughout
6ih 7 h.
8
9
10
8.
sloTV 27-04
26--?2
26-30
26.27
26-24
In signallinjgr tho timo on the nigl^^t of the 6th, the time Bignalled as an exact
minute wuh the 33 seconds by tho Chronometer, on the night of the 6th, the second
signalled was the 34. The return signals from all stations, except Kingston, were
made by hand either from Clock or Chronometer, and were estimated at Toronto, by
ear. At Kingston the Toronto signals wero taken down on a chronograph constructed
^j Prof. Dupuis, and the return signals were made by the Kingston clock, which
was placed in circuit so as to beat every second except that at the exact minute.
The following shews the results of the comparison on the two nights : —
December 5th,— Toronto and Kingston.
Toronto sending.
Kingston sending.
T. 11 16 3^-00 K
27-04
11 29 20-87
43-25
K.
K.
11 46 0"
43-27
T.
T.
11 33 12-30
27-04
11 17 0-04
11 28 37-62
11 17 04
11 45 16-73
ll 33 39-34
33 39-34
11 37-58
11 37-39
jmber 6th, — Toronto and Kingston.
T. 9 28 34-00 K. 9 41 23 00
26-26 45-26
9 57 0-00
45-28
9 44 11-20
26-24
9 29 0-26
9 40 37-74
9 29 0-26
9 60 14-72
9 44 37-44
9 44 37-44
11 37-48
11 37-28
m. s. m. s.
Mean difference on 5th, 11 37*48 On 6th, 11 37*38
December 5th, — ^Toronto, Ottawa.
T. 10 4 23-00
27-04
10 5 0-04
O. 9 12 35-60
-7 11-21
10 19 46-71
10 5 0.04
0. 9 58 12-09
27 11-23
10 25 11-23
10 10 24-34
T. 10 9 67'30
2704
10 10 24-34
14 46 67
14 46-89
t
ibecomW 6th,— l^oronto and Ottawa.
T. 9 29 4'00 O. 9 17 1-BO
26-26 27 16-27
9 29 30-26
9 44 17 77
9 29 30 26
14 4761
O. 9 40 30'00
27 16-31
10 7 46'3l
9 62 68-64
14 47-67
T. 9 62 32-40
26-24
9 42 58-64
On the night of the 5th, the comparison with Cobourg gave, as the error of the
Chronometer at Cobourg, on Toronto mean time fast, 2 m. 27' 3 s. at 14 hours ; and
on the night of the 6th, at 9 20 fn^t, 2 m. 29- 2 s.
The longitude of Toronto usnall}' boon taken as 6 h. 17 m. 33-49 sec. W*
This result was obtained by an intorcliaitgo of time between Quebec and Toronto in
January, 1867. Some recent interchanges of time have, however, led rae to infer
that it may be somewhat too small. Arrangements have now been made to connect
Montreal Observatory with Cambridge, and an interchange will be made at the same
time between Montreal and Toronto, the result of which I will furnish in a supple-
mentary report.
At Ottawa, the chronometer which was employed was unfortunately subjected
to a very great range of temperature, I have estimated as closely as I could, from
Meteoi-ologioal observations in Ottawa, the approximate tompeiature of the chro-
nometer during various periods, from one set of observations taken there, to another,
and the temperature when within the Hotel and Telegraph Office has been taken at
70° fahr., an estimate rather bolow than above the mark. The rate of the chronom-
eter at different temperatures was taken from comparisons made in Toronto, one
period extending from January 1st to February 11th, at a niean temperature of
29*'.14, and a second period from February 12th to March 6th, at a mean temperature
of 69'*.35. The daily rate of this chronometer at temperature 29°. 14 was found to be
7.892 see. per day, and at temperature 59°.35 — 4.023 sec. Assuming the change
of rate with temperature to be uniform and taking the error at I D. 7 H. 65 M. by
chronometer as 26 m. 32.82 sec. I obtained the following tabular errors of the
chronometer.
Date.
Error.
D.
H.
M.
min.
sec.
1
7
55
26
32-82
3
9
49
63-38
6
8
30
27
11-92
5
19
30
13-14
6
20
30
•45
6
2
15-16
6
8
30
17-29
7
8
19-34
7
4
44
20-01
4
The error given by this table at 7 d. 4 h. 44 m. exceeded that obtained by obser^
Ivation by 1.28 sees. Dividing this change uniformly over the period from the first
lobseryation we should have errors and rates as follows :—
s
Date.
Mean Temp.
Hourly Rate.
fii
tdl«.
D. H. M.
1 7 56
13-56
•4029
26
32-82
3 9 49
16-33
•3881
26
62-92
5 8 30
70-00
-1017
28
11*04
5 19 30
32-00
-3045
27
12*16
5 20 3'»
33-00
•2991
26
12^46
6 2 00
29.00
.3205^
27
14^11
6 8 30
70-00
-1017
27
16-19
7 3
18-00
•3792
27
18-09
7 4 44
27
18-73
This coriected table gives the error at 3 d. 9 h. 49 m. within 0*1 sec. of the
observed error. Id the above exchanges of time between Ottawa and Toronto, there
is, however, a discrepancy between the mean of the results on the two nights of
O'dl sec. Assuming that the change was due to a uniform error in the asr<amed rate
of chronometer 1752, we find for the errors on Toronto Mean time at (he times of
contact
1752, slow of T. M. T. at 2nd contact 12 25-43
" 3rd « 12 26 87
«« 4th " 12 26-95
In the exchange with Kingston taking the clock times as shown by the chrono-
graph, and allowing, as in the case of Ottawa, for the difference between the errors
at tne time of exchange, we get as errors of the Kingston clock on Toronto Mean
time, at the time ot the several contacts, as follows : —
2nd Contact
12
21^58
Clock fast.
3rd
12
22-03
C(
4th «
12
22-08
M
The clock times of the contacts as measured from the Chronograph slipSj with
the corresponing Toronto mean times were as follows : —
Clock.
Ingress. h. m. s.
Internal contact, second described phase 9 19 46*25
Internal contact, first
second
External contact
u
2 42 53-20
2 43 12-54
3 3 4315
T. M. T.
h, tn. St
9 7 24-67
2 30 31-17
2 30 50-51
2 51 21-07
Cobourg had no transit instrument, and the time therefore depends entirely upon
the exchange of signals by telegraph, interpolating we get for this error at the time
contact was observed :—
Chronometer fast on Toronto mean tim<) 2 min. 28*53 sec.
I append hereto the reports of the individual observers at the several stations
where observations were obtai led, except that from the station at Belleville, where,
owing to atmospheric disturbance and other causes, the observation was not suf-
ficiently accurate to be of value.
t have forwarded copies of this report to the Boyal Society of Canada and to the
^yal Astix)uomical Society of Great Britain. AH of which is respectfully submitted.
CHARLES CARPMABL,
Superintendent Meteorohgiedl Service of Canada,
tion
^
stations
3, where,
not Buf-
nd to the
ibmitted.
TORONTO, 15th i)soEHB«&, 1882.
ftnAftiiM dAftPitAiSL, I^SQ., Ji.A.. P.R.A.S., F.RS.C,
Superir-cendent of the Transit ofYenos Observations
For the (Tovernment of Canada.
Sib,
I have the honor to report on the observations of the Transit of Venus taken at
Ottawa, as follows : —
I was assisted in these observations by Mr. B. C. Webber, of the Meteorological
Service, and the following instrnmonts were used : — A four-inch Achromatic Tele-
scope, alt-azimuth mounting, a Transit instrument by Messrs. Troughton and Simms,
2^ m. O.G., and Chronometer, Frodsham, 1752.
The temporary observatory was erected on Nepean Point, in Lat. 45** 26 N.,
and Long. 5 h. 2 m. 48 see. W., approximate geographical positions.
On the evening of the 5th exchanged time with the Toronto Observatory, the
weather being very cloudy and threatening to snow. The morning of the 6th broke
with dense clouds at low elevation with no immediate prospect of breaking. Soon
after 8 o'clock signs of clouds dispersing in S.E., 8.15 by chronometer, sun shone out
brilliantly. Sighted on the sun, and focussed on sun spots at 8.24 ; rice grains on
snn just discernible. Definition of telescope very fine. At first external contact
atmosphere rather hazy. Time of first external contact 8 h. 34 m. 45 sec. by chrono-
meter 1752, Frodsham. This time is not to be depended on, as my attention was
called away just at moment of contact, and had to estimate, the notch being formed
on the sun when I again put my eye to the telescope. I do not think it can be more
than five or six seconds out at the most. At no time could I detect any portion of
the planet that was off the sun. The portion on the sun was very black. Towards
internal contact clouds began to pass over the sun, hiding it completely at times;
Just before internal contact, caught a glimpse of the sun through a break in the
clouds, which lasted long enough to catch the contact. No black drop observed.
Bright cusps of sun met at 8 h. 54 m. 51 sec. The sun became obscured 8 h. 55 m.
08 sec, during which interval of 17 seconds the band of light between the limbs of
Yenos and the sun, broadened considerably. The time 8 h. 54 m. 51 sec. was last
time of appearance of discontinuity in ^he illumination of apparent limb of sun. Sun
re-appeared at 9 h. 11 m. with prospects of fine afternoon. For an hour, with the
exception of the time occupied in the passage of a few fleecy clouds over the sun, the
planet was observed. No markings of any kind could be distinguished on its surface,
which appeared intensly black in comparison with the bright face of the sun.
Clouds again gathered thickly and snow began to fall. Snow storm continued with-
out intermission up till 2 h. 5 m., when clouds began to clear off in the south-west.
At 2 h. 12 m. the sky was perfectly clear in south and west and the sun began to
peep out, when Yeuus was observed approaching internal contact at egress, oeing
then about half its own diameter from limb of sun. Air. Webber commenced to
count at 2 h. 16 m. At 2 h. 17 m. 19 sec. slight fading in light was observed near
point of contact, which gradually increased until 2 h. 18 m., when contact was
observed by first appearance of blackness like that of the planet, and the bright
cusps began to recede. No black drop or distortion of the limb of Yenus was
observed, although the edge of the sun was boiling just a little. I used an illumina-
tion about midway between total darkness and brightness that the eye could just,
bear. When the planet was half way off the snn, I thought I could faintly disoem
the limb of the planet, but could not be sure of it. Between internal and external con-
tacts nothing unusual was observed. At 2 h. 38 m. 12 seo. the dark body of the
planet left the sun, although a faint shading of the limb of sun near point of contact
till 2 h. 38 m. 31 sec. was observed, when nothing annsual in the illumination of
Umb of Ban was observed after that time. For aboat an hoar afUqr external oontaot
u
hi egress the snn shone brilliantly, when clouds again arose and the sttn Wad
Bhroaded from sight for the rest of the day. I again exchanged time with the
Toronto Observatory on the evening of the day of transit. A set of transits wore
taken at the observatory at Nepean Point on December Ist and 7th by Captain E.
Deville, Chief Inspector of Surveys, and on the 3rd December by myself. These were
the only time transits taken owing to unfavorable weather. The chronometer
No. 1752 Frodfiham was taken from the hotel to the Observatory on the 1st Decem-
ber, and left there till the evening of the 5th, when it was taken to the telegraph
office to exchange time ; it was afterwards taken to the hotel and put in the safe till
morning of the 6th, when it was taken to the (bsorvatory and left there all day
until evening, when it was again taken to the telegraph office, time compared, and then
back to hotel safe; from there it was taken to the observatory on the evening of the
7th December, for timing transits. It was exposed to a good deal of variation in
temperature, from 70*^ at the hotel on the 7th to 5° or 6° below zero, on Nepean
Point Observatory; the temperature on the 6th was a little below the freezing point.
Captain Deville compared my chronometer with Mr. Lindsay Eussoll's, who took the
last two contacts at his own house. His chronometer was keeping sidereal time,
and the following was the result of the comparison :
Dent 2071, =2nh. 34™. 40secs.
Frodsbam 1752,= 3^- 01™. 34:-5«eca.
Dent 2071,= 20ii- 37™- 45«ecs.
Frodsham 1752, = 3*^- 04™- 39secs.
Temperatures at Ottawa during early part op Drcember, 1882.
December 1st .
" 2nd
" 8rd .
" 4th .
" 5th .
" 6th .
" 7th
" 8th
6.59 A.
28.3
1 P.M.
9 P. M.
Mean.
Max.
31.8
Min.
81.5
19.2
26.33
18.1
17.2
20.2
14.1
17 17
19 9
13 6
9.0
106
4.2
7.93
13.9
4 1
- 49
8.1
14.1
5-T7
14 1
- 58
30.8
85.2
30.1
31.87
36.2
13 9
81.3
342
22.2
29.23
21 5
29.9
22.6
5.1
19.17
296
48
- 2.9
5.1
0.1
0.77
6.9
- 2.9
The mean here
Is the actual
mean of the
three obser-
vations.
Your obedient servant,
(Signed), F. L* Blake, D. L. S.
COBOUBG, January, 1883.
Gharlks Carpmaei*, Esq., M.A., F.B.A.S., F.B.S.C.,
Meteorological Observatory, Toronto.
I have the honor to make the following report of the observations of the Transit
of Yenns which I, assisted by Drs. Haanel and Coleman, was enabled to make : —
The sky in the early pert of the morning of December 6th, 1882, was clear
enough to justify the most sanguine expectations of getting good observations of at
least the first contacts, but a few minutes before 8 a.m. dense masses of clouds began
to rise in the northwest, and by ten minutes past 8 the whole heavens with the excep-
tion of a small area in the northeast and east were covered, completely shutting out
the BOQ from view. These clouds did not break away till long after external and
intenuLL oontaot at ingress were passed.
it a
11
About 10.30 a.m. rifts in the clouds appeared and shortly before eleven a clear
view of the planet on the sun's disc was obtained. The accompanying colored
diagram No. 1, affords a very accurate idea of the appearance presented by the planet
at that time and during the following two hours and three quarters. The disc of the
planet especially towards its circumfiM-ence presented a purplish hue while the centre
had a faint light spot slightly tinged vith a pale slaty green. Had photographic
apparatus been furnished several impresbions might have been taken very success-
fully from 11 a.m. till nearly 2 p.m.
Shortly before two the atmosphere which had been comparatively steady began
to be disturbed and rapidly became worse while flying clouds now and again swept
across the face of the sun. Before the time of internal Contact at egress the boiling
of the atmosphere was such as to render observations very unsatiwfactory. The limbs
of sun and planet appeared to spin. The limb of the sun at which contact was about
to take place seemed to consist of filaments of light, each revolving swiftly in a small
spiral.
Internal contact at egress appeared to take place at 2 h. 33 ra. 27 sec. by the
chronometer which was then 2 m. 29.5 sees, fast of the time at the Toronto observa-
tory. Just at this critical time a cloud svcp' sun and planet out of sight, and when
it had passed a small area of the planet's limb wua decidedly beyond the suns limb,
while a narrow beautifully distinct white line of light surrounded that portion of the
f)lanet's limb which was beyond the sun. The colored diagram No. 2 represents this
ine of light when about half the planet's disc had crossed the sun's limb and it fajtn-
fully represents the peculiar appearance presented by this line of light on the north
western portion where it was decidedly broader than it was along the remaining arc.
This peculiarity was noticed by each of the throe obsei-vers without his attention
being called to it by the others.
Very soon after the planet had passed the position figured in this diagram No. 2,
clouds hid the sun from sight and prevented any observation being taken of the
external contact at egress. The telescope used was a 4 J inch refractive equatorially
mounted, and made by Smith, Beck & Beck, London, England. Power employed
was about 150.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Professor Bain further says in his letter, dated 25th January, 1883 : —
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of January 20th, in
which you ask for a further description of phenomena seen at the instant of time at
which I had marked down the words " ap. contact."
In the report already sent I refer to the atmospheric disturbance which grew
worse and worse till all vision of sun and planet was lost under the flying clouds.
The ever narrowing bank of light over which the planet was slowly moving as
it approached the sun's limb was heaving, boiling, and apparently spinning in manner
described in previous report, other than this nothing peculiar was seen. No black
drop presented itself, no distortion of the planet's limb, such as an elongation towards
point of contact, nor till after part of the planet was beyond sun's disc did any arc of
white light surround any part of the planets disc. The exact instant when that
beautiful bright white arc of light tii-st appeared, I know not, for just after what
seemed to be contact a cloud came over, and when it was passed the arc of light was
there. The cloud was on face of planet and sun fully five seconds.
It was impossible to take a point North and another South of the point at which
contact was about to take place, and note when the illumication of the point of con-
tact began to be distinctly less than that of the points choeen, for the sun's limb was
not still enough to admit of any such thing, it appeared constantly to heave acd
surge.
12
With this exception the planet moved steadily towards contact, presenting no
phenomena different from those observed at any earlier stage. The A ^ D E were
simply remarks made at the telescope while the observation was making ; the exact
words used, and the instant at which each phrase was spoken, being noted by the
assistants. This plan was adopted, thinking that if any marked phenomenon pre-
sented itself neai* time of contact, before or after, the exact second of time when
observed could thus be noted, bat nothing in addition to the phenomena already
described was seen.
In giving you the colors of the disc of planet, I described exactly as seen in our
telescope; of coarse the purplish hue of the edge would at once inform you that our
glasses are somewhat over corrected.
I forgot to m >ntion that during the day the sun's surface was mottled, but pre-
sented no well-marked rice grains — no interlacibg willow pattern.
I hope I have been able to make clear to you what was presented to our view on
that day, from 1_ a.m. until 2 h. 33 m, 38 sec. p.m. ; that is, all phenomena that were
seen, and the order in which and time at which they were seen.
Again, Professor Bain says, on February 21st, 1883, " In answer to your note
16th inst., I have the honor to reply that ' ap contact ' means * approaching contact.' "
Dr. Coleman put '♦ ap " down in the hurry, but " approaching " was the word used.
Approximate position of observing station taken from United States Ghaiia of
Lake Ontario.
Latitude 43° 57 N.
Longitude 5 h. 12 m. 3*7*5 sees.
TIME NOTES
. TT^TERNAL CONTACT AT EGRESS.
A
h.
m.
32
sec.
Atmosphere very unsteady.
B
33
5
Approaching contact.
C
<(
27
Now.
D
((
33
Cloud.
E
it
38
Passed.
F
Illumination of Atmosphere of Yenus.
YiolMit boiling of Sun's surface, observations
very unsatisfactory.
(Signed) A. R. BAIN.
REPORT OF THE OBSRRVATIOXS OF THE TRANSIT OF VENUS AT
KINGSTON OBSERVATORY, CANADA, 6th DECEMBER, 1882.
We had so far the advantage in preparing for the transit here that the longitude
of the site of ttie former obsei'vatory bailding had been previously determined by
every known method, coutinued for a number of years, as well as by telegraphic
communication, to be 5h. 5m, 54.6 s, W., with a probable error of not more than two-
tenths o| a secon4«
\i
> i>
AT
igitude
ed by
;raphio
I two-
Its latitude had been no less oarefnlly ascertained by a series of observations neai*
zenith stars,— particularly B. A. C. 4841, 5400, 6013. and 6731,— by transit with
attached micrometer in the prime vertical, to be 44^ 13' 21" 7 N.
The site of the new observatory building in which observations began to be
taken laut year is on higher ground, and a little further to tLa west, and the neces-
sary triangulation being made the longitude and latitude of the equatorial piev from
which the transit was viewed were found to be 5h. 5m. 56s. 4 W., and 44° 13' 26" 2 N.
respectively.
The new Observatory is a neat frame building, conla!. g, besides the apart-
ment for the observers, the transit rooms and two rooms in tb jquatorial tower, and
the arrangements for opening and closing the (^ihuttors, and revolving the dome, act
perfectly both in winter and summer.
The instruments in the Observatory ara the " Beaufoy transit," leniby the Koyal
Astronomical Society, and a small portable transit, by Simirs, both in excellent
order, in the tower ; at the west end of the building is the Equatorial, by Alvan
Clark. In the spare room below is preserved an interesting specimen of one of the
best telescopes of the middle of last century, a reflecting Gregorian telescope con-
structed by Shortt in 1742, with 7-inch parabolic reflector, and the original stand for
movements in altitude and azimuth.
This instrument was presented to the Observatoiy by Principal Leitch, of Queen's
University. There are also mean time and sidereal clocks with excellent escape*
ments, and compensation pendulums constructed by Professor Dupuis.
The instruments usually employed are the large Beaufoy transit and the Equa-
torial, and were those made use of in connection with the transit of Yenus.
The Beaufoy transit has an object glass of three inches clear aperture and 50
inches focus. It is fitted with dew cap, with 5 vertical and 2 horizontal wires, and a
striding level, the level has on it a new and accurate scale of divisions, each denoting
one second of arc; the axis is supported on two pyramidal stone piers resting on a
broad basis of the same material, which lies upon a solid mass of concrete extend-
ing deep into the ground.
The Er aatorial has a 6Mnch object glass of 8 feet focus, and at the end next the eye
was fitted with a solar, reflecting prism and neutral tint glass wedge ; the eye piece
employed in viewing the transit was a positive one, with a power of a hundred and
twenty, which was found to give the sharpest and best defined vision of the limbs
of the sun and planet.
Besides the clocks already referred to, two other time keepers were available,
and the times of contact as given by these on the day of the transit were alone
employed. The one was a half second M. T. chronometer, number 2382, by Parkin-
son and Frodsham, lent by the British Admiralty for the use of Canadian observers,
and the other a very perfect M. T. clock in Prof Dupuis' house, with compensation
pendulum, and Denison's gravity escapement, and electrically connected both with a
chronograph there and with the Observatory. Both the clock and chronograph are
of Prof. Dupuis' construction, the rate of the clock is very steady, as the recoi-d below
shows: —
Clook Erbors.
Seconds
Dec
3, 7 p.m.
38-49
5, 12 n.
43-29
6, 9 a.m.
44-11
6, 2 p.m.
44-56
6,10 "
45-28
7, 7 «
4719
8, 7 «
49-36
e
u
On the evening of the 6th Deoemher clock signals were received from Toronto
as follows, and registered on the chronograph :— Toronto 17 m.; Kingston 29 m.
20 9 8. ; clock error, -j- 43-29 s. And also on the evening of the 6th as under:—
Toronto, 29 m.; Kingnton, 41 m. 23 8.; clock error, -4- 45-28 8. On the evening of
the 6th at 9 h. 28 m., 29 m., rfO m. and 31 ui. Toronto M.T.
The corresponding times by Parkinson and Frodsham's chronometer at the King-
ston Observatory were 9h. 23m. Us., 24m. Us., ::i5m. Us. and 26m. Us., the
chronometer being 16 m. 23-'7 s. slow by Obdorvatory time and havine a daily losinar
rate of 3-77 s.. s j- e.
The difference between the mean times at Toronto and Kiiigstou, therefore,
from the result of these signal exchanges is 1 1 m. 37*7 s. Bach second for four minutes
of Kingston mean time was also on the evening of 6th signalled to Toronto.
Special observations were made for the determination of the rates of the chrono-
meter and clock every time the Wv,ather permitted for upwards of two weeks before
the day of the transit, and the evening of the 6th being very fine advantage was
taken, soon after the transit was over, of observations of stars for ascertaining the
Observatory time, and the rates with all possible precision, and of completing the
examination for azimuth.
In the use of the transit for time the Equatorial thread intervals were ascertained
by many observations of the principal circurapolar stars, and others to be : —
Seconds.
A. M. = 42 012
B. M. = 20-938
0. M. = 0-061
D. M. = 20-873
E. M. = 41-997
The error of pivots is -f '02 s.
The level constant on the day of transit was — -03 sec, and the collimaticn
—•08 sec, the azimuth error in consequence of some settling of the piers which had
been suspected since the last adjustment in azimuth, was -{- 1-09 sec The collima*
tion constant had been ascertained in the ordinary way by observations of the pole
star with reversal, and that of azimuth by calculation from the observed times of
passage of high and low stars.
The weather for a week before the transit had been very unfavorable, and we
began to fear that our preparations would prove fruitless after all, but we were
agreeably disappointed by the 6th of December being on the whole a fine day, par-
ticularly so in the afternoon. The early morning sky was overcast, as the time for
the commencedient of the transit approached, however, it became clearer, and Pro-
fessor Dupuis and I repaired to oar posts, while Mr. James M. Dupuis was at hand to
render very useful assistance in various ways, as it might be necessary. One of the
passing clouds which were beginning to disperse obscured the view of the first
external contact, and the planet was in consequence not seen until it had partly
entered on the sun's disc. This was at 8 h. 45 m. 5 sec. by chronometer, or 9 h. m.
26-76 sec. Observatory mean time.
At 8 h. 53 m. by chronometer, or 9 h. 9 m. 21-8 sec K.O.M.T. — a line of light
appeared round the planet on the side away from the sun, and apparently brighter
towards the southern limb of the planet.
The clouds had now paosed away, and approach to the first internal contact was
noted at 9 h. 1 m. 25 sec. by chronometer, and by chronograph connected with mean
time clock.
The first internal contact itself, that is, when the limbs of the sun and planet
appeared just to toaoh each other, took place as nearly as could be jadged at 9 h.
thi
D<r
1 m. 44 sec. by chronometer, or 9 h. 18 m. 5-81 sec. Observatory mean time, ^or fl
little while after, the limbs seemed slightly to separate, a dark shade occupied the
narrow Interval between them, extending a little way on each side of the former
points of apparent contact. The time when this dark shade began to break away
and disappear occurred at 9 h. 2 m. 40 sec. by chronometer, or 9 h. 19 m. 1.81 sec.
Observatory moan time. This I regard as the true time of internal contact at in-
gress. There was still some remaining hajiinoss in the atmosphere, but as the sky
was bright and free from clouds at tiio time, both of these contacts were very
distinctly seen. There was nothing of the so-called black drop, but only the dark
shade already referred to.
Not long after the last contact at ingress, clouds began again to spread over the
sky, and continued to do so until about noon, when they again gradually passed off,
and from about 12 h. 30 m. p.m. to the end of the transit, as well as throughout the
afternoon and evening the neavens were perfectly clear. The first internal contact
at egress took place at 2 h. 25 ra. 44.5 sec. by chronometer, or 2 h. 42 m. 7*15 sec.
Observatory mean time. The dark haze seen at ingress in the morning began at
this time to be again observed at eg' ess, but the interval during which it continued,
and discontinuity was noted, was much shorter than in the forenoon, the last internal
contact at egress, that is, when the outlines of the limbs appeared exactly to touch,
occurred at 2 h. 26 m. 4 ■ 5 sec. by chronometer, or 2 h. 42 ra. 27 • 15 sec. by Observatory
meantime. The former of these times I consider the true mean time of internal
contact at egress. The last external contact took place at 2 h. 46 m. 36 sec. by
chronometer, or Observatory mean time 3 h. 2 m. 57'7l sec.
(Signed) JAS. WILLIAMSON,
Director Kingston Observatory.
Kingston Observatory, 30th January, 1883.
McG-iLL CoLLEaE Observatory,
Montreal, 20th December, 1882.
Charles Carpmael, Esq., M.A., F.R.A.S., P.R.S.C,
Superintendent of the Transit of Venus Observations
For the Government of Canada.
Dear Sir,
I have the honor to make the following report on the Transit of Yenos Expedi
tion to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
I was assisted by Mr* H. V. Payne, Inspector for the Meteorological Office.
In accordance with your instructions I remained a day in Chicago in order to
make arrangements for transmitting time signals between Winnipeg and Chicago.
Colonel Cloury, Manager for the Western Union Telegraph Company kindly granted
the free use of the Company's lines for this purpose, and Professor Hough, of the
Dearborn Observatory, promised his co-operation.
We arrived in Winnipeg on Wednesday, November 22nd, and were received by
His Lordship the Bishop of Eupert's Land, who >o guests we were during our stay
in Winnipeg, and to whose thoughtful assistance we owe much. The pier for the
transit instrument had, under the direction of His Lordship, already been built and
arrangements made for the erection of a shelter, which, with some additions, proved
suitable for the purpose of our work.
The instruments placed under my care were a four-inoh refracting, alt-azimuth
telescope ; a portable transit by Messrs. Tronghton and Simms and two mean timo
clii'OUOmQtefs— 664 (tobios and 652 Murray. Tho telescope is in itid t)08Sds8ion of
McGill College ; it has a focal length of 62 inches, and was provided with a first
sarface* reflecting prism, an Airy eye-piece of power 160, and a neutral tint wedge,
the eye-piece and prism wore made especially for this observation by Mr, Gandlach,
of Rochester, N. Y,, and tho wedge is one purchased by you, being similar to those
used in the British Observatories. The teloscoyio has a slow motion wrm gearing
with handles for both altitudes and azimuth. The mounting is very steady. The
tripod wati unconnected with tho floor of the shelter and rested directly on the ground.
A rough adjustable seat was made at the station. The following will indicate the
optical performance of tho telescope ;
1. The disc of a bright star out of focus is round, but has a somewhat jaggy
edge. There is the usual change of colors as the eye-piece is pulled out, namely, — ^from
greenish to a green centre bordared by purple, and beyond focus a purple centre
Dor red by green changing as it is pulled still further out to a uniformly light
pur^'ie disc.
2. On a night of not very good definition and full moonlight (S Gassiopete was easily
seen double. ""
3. The rice-grains on the sun on the day of the transit were just visible with
the thin edge of the wedge.
The transit instrument belongs to the Observatory, Quebec. It has a clear aper-
ture of If inches. It was mounted on a brick pier, two feet by two feet, capped with
stone and built from a depth of six feet below the surface of the ground.
The chronometer GGi is the property of the McGill College Observatory; it
was repaired and cleaned by the Messrs. Bond, of Boston, for use on this expedition.
The chronometer 652 is the property of the British Admiralty, being loaned for
the purposes of the transit of Venus Observations in Canada.
The instrument shelter was ten feet by fourteen, and was divided into two
compartments. The roof was flat and sloped towards the south ; it was made in
part; moveable in the telescope room, giving an uninterrupted view of the sun dur-
ing the time of the transit.
The transit room was provided with the usual opening. A photograph of the
station is presented herewith.
On unpacking the transit instrument, the striding level was found to have been
broken. Two levels were at once forwarded to me from Montreal, one of which
reached me unbroken. Previous to its arrival I was fortunate enough to meet Mr.
Drummond, D.L.S., in Winnipeg, and to obtain from him a small striding level made
by Messrs. Troughton & Simms. This level on being attached to the broken one by
wooden clamps served to determine the inclination of the axis within small range.
The value of one division of this bubble was found to be three and nine-tenths seconds
of arc (3.9"). Owing to the shortness of the bubble the transit had to be levelled at
the beginning of each evening's work. The value 01 one division (one-sixteenth of
an inch) of the Montreal bubble was (2.4") two and four-tenth seconds of arc.
On the 27th November the transit instrument vrza roughly got into position, and
on this and the following night a number of star transits for wire intervals were
obtained. These with the resulting equatorial intervals are given in a table attached
hereto. While ihe number of stars observed is much too few to obtain permanent
intervals from, I consider the intervals obtained to be sufficiently near the trath for
the purpose in view.
The first observations for time were made on November 29th, the Brammond
level being used. The errors of the chronometers for this and subsequent determina-
tions are given in a table appended hereto. Qloudy weather prevente4 fttrther
of
dj
11
olbdeinntlwiB Tintil iDeoembet 4th. wh«ti time was oamftilly detcnmiiMd. lHaUts are
ffiven hvrewith showing details of time determinaitiens on Decemiwr 4th, 6th and Y'tti.
On December Sth a solar in addition to siderial obser^itons was obtat*«d.
ThTOugti the courtesy of the Great North Western Tel^raph Company and Mr.
McDougall, Manager of the Winnipfeg <^ke, the line from Winnipeg to GMkirk ^ft
cut and passed through our observing station. This gave connection with the Dear-
born Observatory at Chicago through relays at Chicago and St. Paul's.
Time Signals foe Longitude.
The signals received were those of tbe clock at the Dearborn Observatory. Tfti s
clock closes f.he circuit at intervals of two seooods up totheSind seoond for each
minute, except before every 5th minute when the last contact is made at the 40th
BMond.
December 4th, p.m., signals were received during 12 minutes: —
Ih. 22m. 18'35aeo. oo chronometer, 652 = 8h. Om. OOsec. on Dearborn clock.
21*3 chronometer fast 00
*Ih. 21m. 57*05sec. meantime at Winnipeg = 8h. Om. OOsec. Chicago M.l?.
Observed difference in time Oh. 38m. 02.95sec.
December 5fh, p.m., signals were received during 3 minutes: —
7h' 32m. 17'7sec. on chronometer 662 n= 6h. 10m. O-Osec. on Dearborn clobki
20*1 chTionometer fast 0*1 clock fast
*th. 31m. 5T'6 sec. Winnipeg mean time=: 8h. 9m. 69-9 Chicago M.T.
Observed difference in time 8h. 38m. 02'3sec.
Mean of differences on December 4th and 5th...*..... Oh. 38m< O2'620ec.
Allowance for armature and current time **. . ...... 0'12
Seduced difference in time »... Oh. 38m. O2'74s0c.
Longitude of Dearborn Observatory 4 ^h. SOm^ 26'788ec.
" Winnipeg sfation *6h. 28m. 29*628et;.
Time signals were also received and sent on the night of December 8th, but as
no time observation was made snbeequent to the tth^ and the rate of the standard
chrpnometer was not verv well determined, I do not consider that ^ eliable difference
of time can be obtained from the exchange. Hiis was tbe only night on whidfai my
signals were received at the Deai born Observatory. My signals were dent by h'aoid
and received on a chronograph. The difference of time thus recorded as given io me^
by Professor Hough is precisely the same— to a tenth of a second — as the difference
observed by me. These times should differ by twice the armature and currient time.
The error is no doubt almost entirely due to my imperfect sending, which besides
bein^ by hand wa» not ctiierwise under fitvorable circumstances, -th^ signals
received could be compared with the chronometer to the nearest tenth of a second
wUh «MM^ On aceoant of these cirommstances, I have thought that grealer accuracy
could be obtained by mwdring tbe difference of longitude depend on differences obtained
in one direction only ; adding dn armature and current time as above.
As will be observed on reference to the table giving chronometer errors, a time
determination was made on December 4th ; this wad immediately after the exchange
of time signals. On December 5th, there was no observation but time was well
determinMl on the 6th.
^ilOaM^^mfjMtW^hmt^ weight to tM difference! in longitd^htained
on the ni|uit of the 4th. Bat this refinement seems, under thd circam8ttt]|fieB, to be
uwleeB. ao attempt was made to determine a peMbnal equation between Krofeaaor
TSoagjIk and mjrMUT
il
a
The great diffioalty experienced in the running of chronoitieters, ref«rre(i id
elsewhere, made it quite impossible to obtain a very accurate determination of longi«
tade. I consider the above result to bo within one second of the truth.
It may be proper to add that the longitude of the station as taken from the map
of the Government Lands Survey is 6 h. 28 m. 290 sec.
Advantage was taken of every clear day to practice with the telescope, making
record of times as if the transit of Yenus were actually taking place.
The method of recording times, which was adopted, was as follows :— Mr. Payne
called out the seconds from to 60 and made a record of each minute as it passed.
When I called "now " be wrote the corresponding second — to the nearest half second
— in a column opposite to the minute previously recorded. Having made this entry
he continued counting until another signal was given. After the second signal time
was recorded, Mr. Payne wrote from my dictation what was supposed to have been
observed.
This method was strictly adhered to during the actual observation, and a short
statement of what was observed was written immediately after each contact.
On the morning of December 6th, the sun was obscuretl by cloud and snowdrift
until after 9 o'clock. When the sun had risen above the cloud and snowbanks it
remained visible until it had again sunk behind them in the afternoon. The tempe*
ratnre during the time of the observation of contact was 18° below zero, Faht., and
the velocity of the wind was 24 miles per hour.
On reaching the station shortly before 11 a.m., and directing the telescope on
the sun it wns found to shake so violently as to make it impossible to keep the sun
in view. We immediately set to work to screen the telescope from the wind. After
moving it back so that it stood entirely within the shelter, we covered the roof open-
ing with the exception of a hole about one foot square, through which the sun could
be seen for some time before and after contact at egress. The telescope was then
found to be perfectly steady. All arrangements were completed and the telescope
directed on the sun at shortly before 1 o'clock, from which time until after the third
oontaot Venus was kept in the field of the telescope, principally by Mr. Payne, as I
wished to rest my eyes as much as possible before making the observation.
Observations of 3bd and 4th Gontaots.
Time record from Murray chronometer No. 652. At shortly after 1 h. 19 m.
Mr. Payne began counting seconds. Tho following is an exact copy of the records :—
al Contact
Egress.
h.
1
m.
20
21
s.
66
'i'Light about to be broken.
Intern
at
22
24
11
^Blackness all the way across a secodd
or two before this.
h
1
40
41
, "3
"8
42
13
^Lastappetrano* cf gapi «pprozim*to,
- F
-
43
.1-^ I-.I.'' fc
19
Bioa-grains jast yisible at third contact, illnmination poor. Extreme thin end
of wedge used giving too dark a field, but enn very much too bright to be obeeryed
without the wedge. This applies more particularly to the fourth contact. At times
near the third contact the illumination was nearly as bright as I desired, but con*
sidering the observation as a whole the field wan too dark. 1 should say that the
time ofactnal iDternal contact — the first appearance of any well marked and persist*
ent discontinuity in the illumination of the sun near the point of contact — was oon^
siderably nearer the first time, 1 h. 21 m. 66 sec. uncorrected, than the last, Ih. 22 m.
1 1 sec. The time I would wish to be taken as the moment of contact as above
defined is Ih. 22 m. on chronometer, which was at the time of the observation 60*6 sec.
fast, making the actual local time of contact Ih. 20m. 69*4 sec.
At 1 h. 42 m. 13*0 sec. equal 1 h. 41 m. 12*4 sec, local time, there was the slight-
est possible appearance of a gap in the limb of the sun. Just then the illumination
became very bad, and my eye oeing rather tired, 1 lost sight of the point of '^ontaot.
I have preferred to give my notes as made during the progress of the observa-
tions and immediately after them, rather than what might perhaps better express my
meaning, written at this time.
I desire, however, to make the following additions to these notes : Definition waa
iairly good, there being little or no boiling on the limb of the sun. My remarks as
to illumination were written immediately after the fourth contact, and were made
with the then condition of the atmosphere on my mind, and were undoubtedly
intended to refer to that time ooly. These remarks are, however, correctly qualified
in what follows them. The important point is that at third contact the seeing was
sufficiently good to leave no dotibt whatever as to what I saw. There was no olack
drop but merely a haze or smoky darkness which gradually increased to complete
blackness. There was no haze at 1 h. 21 m. 65 sec, chronometer time, but it was the
last instant at which I could definitely say there was no appearance of a haze. I
waited rather too long before giving the second signal at 1 h. 22 m. 11 sec, chronome-
ter time, and for this reason made the note attached thereto.
The time I have indicated as what I would desire to be taken as the time of third
contact must be very near the truth.
i stopped observing at 1 h. 24m., and did not recommence until 1 h. 39 m.
Ihe word approximate following the remark opposite to 1 h. 42 m. 13 sec. does
not express what was intended. At that time the gap was seen, but it was not seen
afterwards. Had I continued to see it I do not think that any appearance of " gap "
would have been visible for more than five seconds after the recorded time. 1 am
able to judge of this somewhat closely from my model practice.
The minutes entered in the record preceding and following times of contact are
the minutes dnrinff which counting was continued. After both i'^temal and external
contacts I verified I&. Payne's counting by looking at the chronometer and his record
while he still continued to count seconds.
I am your obedient servant,
(Signed), C. H. MoLEOD,
-^I
90
eeMPAiRlSQMS OF ERRORS OF CHRONOMETERS.
OTRHAY 6B2, and TOBIAS 6*4, a* WINNIPEG.
(iBiahop'i 0<mrt, 8t. Jdhn's College.)
'r
ixty.
Hour.
m
Urrora.
+ fli8t; — ilow.
RiMABKfl.
ma
Faatof
eea.
Slow of
652.
m
662
MoT«3l
8 v^m.
88.6
•* 88
II
86.8
•« 84.......
" 2*.
<«
It
33.8
81.8
Up to 8 p.m. on the 27tli both chrono-
meterfl were In a room, meantempera-
tuj« about Obi* wltb a raoga Qt v»tbw»'
•• 26
II
29.8
" 27
" 28
H «•
it
11
12 m.
, 28.9
21.4
22.4
m In transit house on 27th from 8 to
10 p.m.
664 In transit house on 28th flrom 8 to
12 p.m.
" 20
9 a.m.
22.4
It «• , ,,
Sp^m.
22.0
> 664 In transit liouse ; temp. 11**.
)StrrQr»from observation.
u, <l
latm
18.8
+6.1
+84,4
•• 80
9 am.
'
17.8
+24.1
Brror from' rate.
14 «
10 p. m.
(
16.8
])Wr 1-.,...
9a,n|i.
15,8
+28.6
If tt It
" "
<4 «
6i>.ra.
T "
16,8
17.2 (?)
y664 in, transit UQCWW [f^om 5 tOrT p.q|»w
temp. -5*.
) 17*2 probably a mistake for^Tli.
•• "
** -
8 "
10 "
7.5
4.0
664 In transit tapose at temp^— 0,1
44
9 a.m.
3.8
1
• +28.9-
'Error from ratoi
«♦. "
•«- •♦.
•♦ "
' apim.
' 8 «
1
8.8
' 8t0
' 2.8
1
•^^iJ?;>TtSS»ioM^ng«lJB^
afftr a» tlM atmusSmm^tmuai0Sm
lilwork.
•• 8
9 a.m.
. 1.8.
, +21.1
J +28,8
iSrroriftom.ratef
«* "
9 p.m.
0.7
■
" 4,«
8 a.m.
0.5
f
• +22.2
+21.7
" "
" " ...
,6.80 pjn.
11p.m.
1.1
1.5
:
+22.6
+a.3
im^qMgP*' Avriag, trfuuH work to.
3Arn>rs'fiM>m obvnrvAUPW,
^' 6
9^.m.
1.9
\
[
" "
<t< 41
10 "
1 p.m.
2.2
2.8
tfiSi in transit house, temp. 8" below sera
" "
«• II
6 ♦'
jl "
2.6
42.8
+22.7
+20.1
1 A62 in transit house,temp. 11* below sera
! Jump forward occurred after receiving
f Chicago time, probably in carrying
J chronometer home.
" 6
II II
v.. .: . ■".. ; — -
"a.m.
9 "
41.8
42.2
• ■ ..
•
662 at observing station ; temp. 11* b«>
iow sera
on
tt
'Murray 652 and Tobias 664, at Winnipio (St. John's Collioi).
D«r.
Deo. 8,
Hoar.
• ■ .*••* . •
11a.m.
Noon
2.46 p.m.
1 16 p.m.
8.4S p.m.
604
Fast of
062
Brrora
+ fast; -alow.
aiowc
062
(Ml
662
41.8
.871.8
87l4-
871.6
+2«.7
RXMARKA.
-f60.7
+60.6
+80.1
"biSw^ero***"*"^'"* staUon , tMnp. 18»
Solar obaerTatlon.
From oomparlaon with atamlard*
j 652 iraaalt work; temp. 29" below zero.
jErroraiftwm alderlal obserratlona.
TIMB 0B»BHVAT10irSl
6th a^ m^^'r'JL^^t'fL?^^^^^ *''*'"^ observatio»8 made on December 4th
The stAwiobservBdi are item ther.AnieirioaiJ.Bphemerik »«»«eBtrate.
22
TRANSIT OBSERVATIONS.
|i|'
- ...
Latitude 49° 1
w
N.,
Longitude 6 b. 28 m. 2t
'«)0. West.
Instram. Brrors
Date.
1882.
star.
1
1
i
s
ai
1
Observed
Mean tln-e
OfXranali,
by Chro.
662L
Mean time
of Stars.
Passage.
Observed
tronometei
£rror.
oorreoted for
•i
1
Bemarki.
i
5
i
<
1
Deo. 4..
iiUrteeMaJ. .
N. 49» 64'
L
6
8, 47, 49.64
8, 47, 86.68
4- see.
i^.ll
+ 8eo.
18.06
The Incli-
nation of
axis was
a Draoo.*.M.
N.64°66'
L
6
9.06,00.64
9, 06, 49.70
10.94
10.67
observed
as fol*
4 Draco.
N. ISf 16'
L
2
7, 11, 41.00
7, U, 86.00
4.70
4.22
lows:—
a 8p.m.=W.
/i Arletis
N. 20' 14'
U
6
8, 68, 11.68
8,62,63.68
18.06
18.38
21.09
1 +ai6 seo;
3 10.16p.m.^
0. W. ¥ 0.«
iiPlsolum....
N. 14" 46'
ii
5
8, 30, 17.22
8, 29, 69.95
17.27
17.46
20.57
a see. ; 10.45
a p-m. = W.
H +0.62 see.
The oor-
oPlsolum....
N. 8»34'
II
5
8, 44, 14.74
8,43.67.21
17.68
17.78
21.19
9'Oett
.-. 8" 47'
II
5
8, 28, 14.98
8,22,67.96
17.08
17.14
21.61
reoUon for
Inequality
Mean - 21.11
of pivots
/inrMin
N. 74" 38'
L
4
0,65,86ilO
9,65,28.88
6.22
Is Includ-
6.07
ed in the
above level
SUrMin
N. 76" 18'
L
8
9,32,2064
9,82,16.04
4.60
8.46
•g errors :—
^ It Is W.+
aPersei
N.49<'27'
U
8
10,20,47.80
10, 20, 28.30
19.60
20.60
20.6
^ -16 sea for
e,lamp east.
aCeti
K. 8*88'
u
s
10,00,60.46
9,^2.CV.68
10,00,41.70
9, 41, 49.20
17 76
18 16
21.9
^
yOetl.
N. 2" 44'
u
6
18.88
18.70
Mean
•
22.4
.21.63
aPerMi
N.47"26'
u
8
10,80,2L46
10,80,02.66
18.81
20.8
20.6
1
iiTaorl
N.28»24'
<4
6
10, 46, 14J8
10,44,66.80
17.68
2nd 84
18.6
ai.o
1
9t. Mean -
ao.8
1
Mean Chro. erro?.*, lamp east is + 21.11
«» " « west is 4- 21.63
Ohro. 652, fast [- 21.37
COMBINATIONS FOE AZIMUTH.
Lamp East. Lamp Wist.
fj TTrsffi Majoris and /3 Arietis = 5.27.
a Braoonis and 97 Pisoium = 4.4.
a Draoonis and Pisoium = 4.74.
4 Draconia and Q' Ceti = 4.31.
Mean = 4.68.
Ij Ursffi Minoris and y Ceti
6 Ursffi Minoris and a Ceti
Mean
= 5.75.
= 5.6.
= 6.62,
MeM) of IJamp W. imd Lamp £. = -{- 6.16,
m.
Mf^::''-:b'
Time beierminations from Transit Observations
at Winnipeg ; Latitude 49° 65' N. ; Longitude 6h. 28m. 29.5 sec. W.
■
*t
Corrected for
g
S-i
Observed
hronomete
Error.
error of
Star.
i
1
a
a
4
Mean time
of Stars.
Passage.
Observed
'lime
ol Transit
on Chro.
No. 652.
Date.
i
u
S"
Remark*.
L
6
u
Hi
66.64
S'
i3
DecC,
X Draconls...
N. 69»59'
6. ao, 88.57
6, 21, 33 72
-|- sec.
67.15
Inclination
^-^
of axis ob-
1882L..
eDraoo(H)..
N. Te* 19'
L
a
5, 22, 80.25
6, 28, 21.60
53.26
62.86
§
served as
follows: 5b.
O.K. 4468....
N.78"46'
U
4
6,46,21.04
6, 47, 28.90
62.86
64.18
e4
20m. =W +
*16 sec ; 6h.
Oepbei
N. e7?29'
<«
4
6, 11, 1)6.02
6, 12, 08.60
62.58
68.88
•85 rain. =W
+ 40.
Going: of
t Oephei
N. 86' 35'
4<
6
6.43,51.811
6, 48, 63.64
62.34
62.87
■Andromedee
N. 2b« 27'
l<
S 6. 60. 2X.46
7, 00, 28.46
60.00
60.40
61.32
*|Chro.proba-
Sbly not very
eq steady, al-
Markab
N. 14" 86'
II
4
6, 66. 13.70
5,67,18.20
60.41
66.62
60.04
Atbough Its
•* Plsoium...
N. e^lS'
M
4
6, 60, 27.30
6, 51, 26.80
60.41
60.70
61.24
S total change
Sduring ex-
'^posure.from
t PlMiaRi ...
N. 5" 0'
4(
6
6, 31, 08.18
6,82,08.08
59.90
60. r
61.78
standard
Ohra was
Fomalhaat..
a. WW
<•
b
6, 48, 28.70
5,49,28.08
68.38
58.48
60.74
only 110 of »
second.
Mean • 61.2
Note-Posi-
tion of In-
4 Draco (H). ■
N. li' 16'
L
8
7,08,45.38
7,04,47.05
61.72
61.72
(Eero.)
strament In
.azi math
'gwasohang'd
«on 6th at
822 Camelop
(H)
N. 84" 02'
<•
4
7,46,06.84
7, 46, 06.74
60.40
58.00
a OaasiopesB.
N.SficM'
U
b
7,80,66.28
7,81,54.64
68.81
68.07
^r.boat7p.m.
^ An'lromedcB
N.85« 0'
ti
5
8,00,09.56
8,01,08.06
68.60
68.78
68.73
d Inclination
Sof axis ob-
•J served as
foIloviFs : 7h.
« Pistian*...
N. 7M5'
•<
8
7, 68, 6L89
7,64.50.17
68.78
68.00
68.90
^Cett
8. 18» 88'
II
4
7, 34, 44.97
7,86,44.84
69.87
60.37
60.87
M6m.4=W -
•*15 sec. ; 8b.-
Mean -
60.00
a-15m.=W +
S'16 sec No
'rdevlatlon in
7a B i m n t h
; here.
H Instrament
y Piseium...
N. 14« 46'
u
8
8, 22, 06.10
8, 28, 06.86
68.76
60.02
•'Cetl
a. 8»47'
It
8
8,16,06.12
8, 16, 04.97
68.85
60.02
prohnbl y
distnrbed
on reversal.
Error ofOhro.-^l-20+WW - «,•!
In first set on combining for azimuth as follows : —
t Oephei and Fomalhant = 2.5 ; o Gephei and i Piseium = 2 1 ; Groombrid^e
4163 and (•> Piseium = 2.1 ; 9 Draconis and Karkab= 2.4 ; a Draoonis a Andromeda
=1.8.
2.5 + 2.1 + 2.1 + 2.4 + 1.8 __ g.g
5
The mean anmnthal doviation to be obtained from the 2nd set is about ** Nil."
The ooilimation error obtained by reversal on two stars (on the 4th) was only
4- .05 see. The 8rd set of observations being compared with the second (above)
•hows this oorresiion to be still very small. '
U-
Hi
W
I ti-
ll
time (fiatsnnbaftoR from Trmsft Gbservatttn^ A Wiflnipeg.
XAtitade 49° 58' N. ; Longitade^ h. 28 m. 29.5 sec. W.
Date.
188X
Dm. 7.
Btwr.
|^<Uxsee'Mln.i
(BmaeA...
• CML
«at4danl...
c/DM8B'MlB.J
••lAculgn...
«<«iMrlg»...
llVaoH.....
DeoUna-
41on.
N. 74"t|8'
N. 77"I8»
N. 47' «5'
N. 81° I2«
N. r^'
8. 9>«'
N.82»14'
N. w^mf
N.4s^ar
N.82«4li'
N. 28"»»
N. IV^'iS'
o
I
4S
L
<<i
III
•II, I
Mtan time
^'Stars.
Panage.
9^48,41.26
9, S8, 19.74
10, 37, 14.91
10,89,28.17
10,00,58.06
9,^68J97
10, 20, 04.12
11,60, 10.40
11,34,65.07
12,00,26.47
11,41,48.77
12,n,lfi.M
11«M, W,»
Oboewed
Time of
Transit.
Ohro.^6&2.
0,44,89:20
9,60, 18.47
10,'i28, 10;40
IQ,)I0, 19100
10,01,49.27
0, 49, 50. 16
10,21,00.^74
11,:^, 14^40
11,86,48:74
12,01,22.16
11,i12,44j4S
12.12,10<62
6
11
tsec.
87.94
98.73
56.50
56.89
56.21
8S.19I
64.00
54.07
65.60
56.71
56.56
Cbronom. ertor
eorreeted fed:
errprof
65.001
68.88 08:08
66.74 '57.84
S5^
I
«
in
OtunKclfM.
InoUnatlon of
aala abttUhmA
^ asfollo^w:—
him.
9 40 =WI|608eo.
lew =WiH0-66
66.55 87262
'W.81 57.71
'67.15 07 Jtt
*87.06l>8740
Mean - ''IKr.60
'61.35| 62.40
66.^ 56^
66.67 87.87
87.22
**7.7l'
I
'mMft,«mptmilaM9 —0.4
Oluio, vitte as
«| deduced from
ateMnqMtMisonbe*
U fore and after
g see. perj hoar.
'87.60 S 4to(laMdto0pm
M beginnli)g of
56.20
87:G8 '87.28
66.441 57i«8^'87.« 8
j 1 ^There Is ho ap-
11,06, 18J48 > 5i>.87l 65.9ll' 56i82| ^O-M ^MMtohla azi-
■ einath deflation
Mean - 87;aB&n edttwlr po-
A-ti9p.m.Bnrorof0bfiK>. 67.881
aiiau«»«» uh of
azi ' >feeryed
i«li ' /■»:—
h.m.
1116 := «ir-Hn.i6s6o
1215 = W4^8&
isltlon.
SOLAJt TIULNSIT, 6th PBOBMBUB, 1882.
I
OfaoervedTime.
Paasage.
1st limb.
tkJKPW
cfbeenred nme.
Passage.
2ndljimli.
U, 61, 09.96
11,6^81.06
Chronometer
readlagfor
Transit of
Bon's cantre.
U. 82, 90.62
Mean time
of iSunts
passage.
n.
-n
51
Observed
Chrohom.
error.
66.-49
Chronometer
error oonreoted
for aslmath
+ a.2«eos.
^.46
W l >"
The aeiinathal de' d.\tioii used to redooe sotor o bs err ati on is that obtained from
observations on the night of the 6th before reversal. As the oollimation error is
very ifviallriMad the J«vMeorv»Gtion,(«rrer)«:as^(^^ obsenred .t)iro.|gh in^dyerjbance,
tefc tJii^^NmmintsM of Jih«Aic.baii^4ie0j.'l7 the aafoaas Ati6, p4A.» 'Wocin yf.;v,a9 -^ *16,
i$-<wiM^n»fcJbejpre»t) iniUiis.iKMitioa.jieoesMriJy.jiaaUAJt^ fU^l^i^ U>
be more thftn a small unction oJPn second in Anoc.
M.
of
IjGOseo.
4*66
r#te M
id from
rtfonjb*-
Qd after
uw-0.4
Brj hour.
«dtoepm
il4g of
■r*.
1^ 4>n of
' >ierved
ft'.—
!• |io »P-
>ble ari-
de^latlon
Ithslr po-
ronowetor
)rooiveotea
r aElmnth
ha.2ieoa.
26
Determination of Equatorial Intervals of Wires in
Transit Instrument.
TROUGHTON and SIMMS, Makers,
Focal Length, 24 inches. Clear Aperture, one and throe-quarter inches.
Date,
1882.
Btar.
Nov. 27th.! 88 Casslopeae. . .
I I Casslopeae....
' 50 Cassiopeae. . .
a Cygni
a Cepbel
o Urs8B Majoris.
Bootis
iS Ursae Min. . . .
6 Persei
5 UrsaeMin....
i Ursae Min....
«
1
«
<t
i<
II
<•
K
28th.
II
II
II
" ih.
II
II
Observed Intervals.
1
2.
3
4
+
86.26
4-
43.56
4-.'>6
42.44
76.70
38.70
-.30
37.80
96.74
48.74
-.06
47.86
42.28
21.48
21.22
64.36
32.56
-.S4
31.94
64.86
32.86
-.14
32.14
48.90
24 90
4-20
24.40
113.70
57.70
-.06
56.00
44-24
22.74
+M
22.26
128.30
64.10
4- -40
62.90
146.70
74.20
+.70
72.80
87.44
Fquiitorlal Intervals.
+
29.99
77.30 15 .10.12
97. "'O 5 30. i;!
43.02 i 29.97
64.64
65.44
49.60
114.10 30.13
44.76
127.90
148.80
30.11
;i0.07
29. ^-^
29.9*
30.09
:^0.13
30.048
-I-
ld.I4
15.20
5.18
15.22
15.23
15.23
15.19
15.29
15.39
15.27
15.24
15. 'AS!
4..02
-.11
—.02
-.16
—.06
+ f2
-.02
+.02
+.09
+.14
+.002
14.75 30.22
14.84 I 30.3-i
14.90
15.04
30.38 Lamp
30.49
14.95 : 80.25
14.90 I 80.34
14.89 I 30.26
I
14.84 i 30.33
15.06
14.99
14.95
30.28
30.47
30.66
14.918 30.858
East
or
Clamp
WeBt.
Means.
.^
^M
uned from
va. error is
,,<***«>""•'■
\«4^
i2:E:
PLAN^
OF TRANSIT
SHEWING f^^'Z^ -^ H
"L'^NUS STATION
WINNIPEG MAN.
BT'^DecembeR 1888
-— "VT."^*- — ' — ^
JV»/^ 6Ckai7is/396)
effual to one inch
t/NCDLOl/l\ED STf{EETS Af^E /Joj fET bJiuT l/PO//.^
TffJS'^