TRANSIT OF VENUS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2704, 7 December 1882, Page 3

TRANSIT OF VENUS.

BURNHAM STATION.

The observations of the transit made at Burnham by Colonel Tupman and Lieut. Coke wore most successful, the sight obtained of the transit being all that could be desired. A slight cloud intervened for a short time, but did not affect the success of the observations to any appreciable extent, and the atmospheric conditions generally were most favorable. Descriptions of the arrangements made at Burnham by Colonel Tupman, and of the instruments used both in connection with the transit and with the observations being taken to determine the exact longitude of the locality, been published, and, as it is not desirable for obvious reasons to make known the particulars of the transit observations and the times noted, until they have been officially reported, there is little left to chronicle except the fact that Colonel Tupman is highly pleased with the result, so far as his party are concerned. The observers for some days previously were very busy preparing for the important event, and Wednesday was occupied in taking observations of the planet upon whose movements so much depended. On the previous evening several preliminary “ drills ” took place, in order to ensure, as far as possible, that those who were to assist would not jeopardise the success of the operations by any unfortunate slip. The morning breaking clear and fine, the observers were at their posts at an early hour, and their hearts were, of course, gladened by the favorable indications. Colonel Tupman and Lieutenant Coke commenced taking observations of the transit at about halfpast six o’clock, and they were enabled to make some very successful measurements with the micrometer before beginning to observe the contact. As this interesting point approached the party prepared for action. Colonel Tupman had possession of the hut in which was located the 6-in. refractor telescope, made by Cooke of York. He was assisted by Mrs Tupman, who repeated the seconds from the chronometer, and Mr Cell, of the Wellington Telegraph Department, whose duty at Burnham is principally for the purpose of working the galvanometer used in the experiments which are being conducted to determine the longitude. Mr Cell recorded the times of contact as given by Colonel Tupman. Lieut. Coke, who used a 4in telescope of Cookes, occupied an adjoining hut, and his assistants were Mrs Coke, who performed the same duty as Mrs Tupman, and Mr White, who is in charge of the telegraph arrangements at Burnham, and who was assisted by Mr E. V. Hamilton, in recording the times of contact. Mr Mattison, superintendent of the Burnham Industrial School, also took observations through one of the telescopes belonging to the Expedition. The internal contact at egress occurred, roughly speaking, at about half-past seven o’clock, and the external contact at about ten minutes to eight, and as soon as the observations were taken Col. Tupman and Lieut. Coke retired to their cottage and drew up separate reports of the transit. These were found to show a satisfactory agreement, the difference being very trifling. Colonel Tupman lost no time in communicating the news of his success by wire to the principal stations throughout New Zealand, and in the course of the morning he received reports which showed that all the observers stationed south of Burnham were unsuccessful, with the exception of Mr Ward, at Cromwell, and Mr Gillies, at Dunedin, both of whom got favorable observations, and that at the Northern stations they had been more fortunate. At Clyde, in Otago, where Dr. Hector had been, observing, a cloud obscured the sun at the critical time. The Hon. Mr Acland, at Rangitata, and Archdeacon Harper, at Timaru, were also unlucky. Mr Smith, in charge of the American party at Auckland, sent a most satisfactory wire, and stated that a number of photographs had been obtained. Mr McKerrow also sent a favorable report from Wellington. Satisfactory contact observations were made in Christchurch by Messrs Kitson and Munro, Mr Meddings, and Mr Townsend. The latter gentleman states that the observation was in every respect satisfactory from first to last.

It will thus be seen that, as far as New Zealand is concerned, the result has been most "ratifying, while news has been received from Melbourne that similar success has attended the observations of the transit there.

Colonel Tupman and his party will remain at Burnham for about ten days longer, conducting their astronomical investigations. The reports from the different official observers in the colony will be forwarded to him as soon as they are prepared, but it will of course be some time before any practical results arc obtained and made public.

[press association telegram.]

AUCKLAND, December 7.

The American observation party report the observations of the transit of Venus this morning as very successful. Twentyfour photographs were taken up to the time of internal contact when a thin haze of clouds prevented further photography. They then had recourse to telescopes, and observed the planet up to the time of ex tornal contact, the clouds not interfering with the telescopic observations. The observers say they have never seen such successful results. The photographs will be sent to America by the next outward steamer, and the one following to prevent accidents. The party then go to Sydney for the purpose of continuing pendulum experiments. NEW PLYMOUTH, December 7.

Although at times clouds passed over the sun during the transit, at the time of internal contact, and at the ogress the sun was clear, and an excellent observation was taken here, but the external egress was not seen. The observations were taken by Mr Humphries, chief surveyor, and Mr O’Donohoh, who was about 100 yards from the main observatory. On comparing the records there was only one second difference between the two observations.

WELLINGTON, December 7.

An excellent observation of the transit of Venus was obtained here this morning. The, weather was fine and clear, with a cloudless shy: DUNEDIN, December 7.

The transit was well observed here for quite three quarters of an hour, the Government Observer says with excellent results.

[beutee’s telegram.] MELBOURNE, December 7. The early morning was bright and clear, and a favorable observation was obtained of the tiansit of Venus. Received December 7th, 2 p.m. Later.

The observation of the transit of Venus from the Melbourne station was successful. It was somewhat cloudy at sunrise, but the cloulds cleared off before the critical time. Twenty - three photographs were obtained. The observations at the Gippsland station were not successful, as the weather was misty and rain was falling.

In connection with the transit of Venus. Colonel Tupman has succeeded in determining the exact longitude of the chief towns of Now Zealand by means of telegraphic signals flashed from the Sydney Observatory to Burnham, and vice versa. Dr. Lemon, Superintendent of New Zealand Telegraphs, deserves the greatest credit for the complete telegraphic arrangements made, and the means devised for the perfect receipt of the signals. The difficulty which attended the undertaking may bo better understood when wo remember that an ordinary message forwarded to Sydney undergoes tour transmissions, viz., Christchurch to Blenheim, Blenheim to Wakapuaka, Wakapuaka to La Perouso, and La Perouse to Sydney ; but as in this instance the exact longitude was required, and not the approximate, as previously determined,it was necessary that the whole should form one complete circuit, so that signals could be sent direct from the Sydney observatory to that at Burnham. The total length of lino in circuit was therefore 1700 miles, the longest ever signalled upon in the Southern hemisphere. The battery power had to bo limited to fifteen cells (a little more than a third of the power used to work

from Christehui’ch to Blenheim), lest the Australian cable should he injured. The signals were received on a very delicate Thompson reflecting galvanometer, the current passing through the instrument being equal to l-1500th part of an ordinary Daniell’s cell. The signalling was most successful, being beceived to within a small fraction of a second. Mr Shaploy, chief electrician of the Australian-New Zealand cable, manipulated the instrument at Sydney, and Mr Gell, of Wellington, was specially deputed by Dr. Lemon to carry out the duties at Burnham.