LOCAL OBSERVATORY

Evening Star, Issue 23683, 17 September 1940, Page 2

LOCAL OBSERVATORY

VALUABLE WORK CONTINUED As usual, the Observatory has been .open to the public on Wednesday and Saturday nights from May to September, when overhead conditions wera suitable (states the annual report of the astronlonical section of the Otago branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand, to be presented at tha annual meeting to-night. Adversa weather interfered a good deal with observations during the earlier months of the season; but made up for it later with some perfect sky conditions over recent weeks. Owing to. the absenca of all the major planets from our evening skies this season,, and no doubt also to the distractions of the war. thera was not the same interest among tha public as formerly, and consequently attendances at the’ Observatory fell away somewhat. The director of the Observatory continued with the observing and recording of this' phenomena ak and when conditions permitted. Owing to the enlistment and departure from Dunedia of his co-worker, Mr Eric M'George, it was left to Mr Hobbs to carry on thi« important work by himself throughout the season. This work calls for a high degree of skill and alertness, and it it pleasing to know that our local Observatory is continuing to co-operat« with other observatories in this manner. The thanks of the society are due to the director of the Observatory for Ini devoted services and untiring effortt in the interests of the society; also to those members of the committee who attended *on tile public nights at tho Observatory throughout the year. _ The treasurer’s statement of receipt* and payments shows a cash balance of £65 7s lid, compared with £55 2s 4d brought forward from last year. During the year two*, general and three committee meetings were held. In addition, three special meetings wero held in the Observatory, when lectnrettes and demonstrations with the telescopes and. planetarium were given to selected pupils from the secondary schools. •