Correspondence.

Evening Star, Issue 3679, 7 December 1874, Page 3

Correspondence.

We are not responsible for the opinion* expressed by our correspondents.] TRANSIT OF VENUS. To the Editor. Sir, —As one who takes an interest in astronomical events, I respectfully beg to draw the attention of intending observers to a sufject of primary importance. The forthcoming event should be taken advantage of for the purpose of ascertaining whether there is a satellite attendant to Venus. The subject has been one of great contraversion for many years past. If the satellite does exist, it might be seen upon the disc of the Sun as a still smaller spot than Venus that is, supposing it is in a favorable position in its orbit. From the records of astronomers it appears that a satellite was observed on the 3rd of May, 17G1, at a distance of twenty minutes from Venus (or about two-thirds of the Sun’s diameter), and of a crescent form, and about fifteen seconds in diameter. It remained visible until the 11th of May. Now- it is not improbable that such a satellite does exist, and might be visible either before the first contact at ingress or after the last contact at egress. T have simply male the above remarks in the hope that it may form a part of the intended procee Imgs of our local observers at the forthcoming transit of Venus, and it might tend to verify the above remarks,—l am, &c , W. J. P. lunedin, December 7.