SECOND EDITION. THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.

Evening Star, Issue 3681, 9 December 1874, Page 3

SECOND EDITION. THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.

AT THE DUNEDIN OBSERVATORY. 1 p.m. Owing to the atrocious weather thi« interesting astronomical phenomenon, or at least the earlier part oi it, was invisible in Dunedin, Every preparation had been made for observing it at two stations near 1 unedin, one being at Rockyside, Caversham, the other at Roslyn,, But preparations were of no use whatever under the circumstances, and it is only the courage of (despair that could indppe anybody tp try $o Observe while the rain is falling in torrents, while the barometer is rapidly falling and while the air is loaded with vapour. It is unnecessary for us to say that no observation whatever of either the first external or the first internal contact was obtained. Thb weather may clear up before the egress,

and good observations may yet be procure'’, but it is extremely unlikely, and we nay probably set down the transit of 1574 a.- a thorough failure as far as Dunedin is concerned. 3 10 p.m. Jrlanet intensely black. In finder seems ti be surrounded by yellow shade, which appearance is not to bo noticed in large telescope. No sign of satellite or any part of disc. In middle of the blackspot there appeared to be well marked brightness, this was visible both in finder and a large telescope. 4 p.m. We have got only one glimpse of the transit and no observation. It can’t be helped. (Br Telegraph.) ~ , , ~ Clyde, 4.58 p.m. . , unfavorable day ; cloudy, with occasional showers. Sun visible at intervals between ope and three. ~ . Naseby, December 9. ror the last eight days, or since arrangements were completed for taking observations at the station here, the weather has, unfortunately, bean cloudy with starless nights, so that exact time could not be taken. Last night the weather was favorable and correct observation made. Lieutenant Crawford was compelled, ln consequence of the cloudy weather, to be in daily communication with Burnham, in order to regulate his sidereal clock with Burnham time. To-day the weather was cloudy and rainy, but cleared up for ten minutes about three minutes after the first contact, at 1.30. About two-thirds of the diameter of Venus was on the Sun, when observations were again interrupted by a heavy shower from the south. The weather, at 4.40 p.m., is so cloudy that it is hardly possible an observation of the egress can be taken. Balclutha, December 9. The weather here was cloudy, with an overcast sky. Consequently there was no favorable opportunity afforded for observing the transit, Queenstown, 3.50 p.m. Ine weather cleared, as if specially for the observation, from noon to three o’clock, when ram clouds obscured the observations. There was light, ouraulous clouds during these hours. The contact was witnessed by crowds, and the transit was clearly observed. Hopes are yet held of final observations being taken. The day was nearly a holiday here. _ , 4.58 p.m. further observations are being taken with every hope of success now. Bluff, December 9. Strong S.W. breeze with heavy clouds and drizzling rain; inclined to be foggy. Christchurch, December 0. Slight rain fell last night, and the weather this morning was most unfavorable to transit observation. There was no rain, but the sky was heavily overcast. Only one moraental glimpse of the sun has been obtained since daybreak, and it has been quite calm till now (1.30 p.m.), when a slight breeze is springing up from the north-east. The ©astern horizon is tolerably clear. Some lifct|o hopes are yet eutertained of the clouds blowing away, Wellington, December 9, 10.30 a.in. The weather has cleared up very much, but there are electrical disturbances in the atmosphere. indicating a thunderstorm. The southerly wind has gone down. ci . , 11.5 a.m. Sky overcast with drifting and heavy clouds, broken here and there. Very unfavorable for observing the transit. Rain also threatens. Grahamstown, 11.31 a.m. . Sun not visible yet. It has been rainmg all morning, sometimes heavily, and is now drizzling, with very slight indications of clearing np.