THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 302, 11 December 1874, Page 2

THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.

Those who are acquainted with the usual December weather experienced in this" district looked forward with much confidence toa series of favorable observatiens" being obtained at Naseby on the eventful Wednesday, whatever might happen elsewhere. Such hopes were unfortunately not sustained by the results. The morning 'broke heavily showers hanging round the plain, and coming up from the south. From ten to eleven' it poured; and the prospect was bad indeed. About eleven it cleared a little, and the looal scientists, who abounded, were busy trying, and exhibiting their prepared glasses. Again it clouded over—clearing, however, about one o'clock, and then it appeared as if the first internal contact would be observed with accuracy, although this was a matter of secondary importance, and was not (as will be seen) fulfilled. The moment of first egress was the principal point sought" to be determined. The weather for the past eight days has been bad, with starless nights, so that ic was Tuesday night before the sky was favorable for correct observations for .the regulation of the sidereal clock, in connection with Burnham time. On the morning~of the 9th nothing was wanting for accurate observation of the transit, except a clear day. At 1.20 the first observation of the phenomenon was. observed, about two-thirds of the planet being fchan.. _ 2^_ja 5 S Q_jfc] aa ._ Jllttl V--<3ioo. _-_ "TEe-fifstexternal contact must have taken" place about 1.17 Almost immediately the clouds again obscured the sun, and no further observation was obtained. All the day the weather appeared fine to the south-east; and the phenomenon would, we believe, have been observed from the south end of the' plain, at or about Captain Baldwin's station.: Accurate observations at one station is all that is needed to enable scientific men to ar-. rive at results likely to be as beneficial to the world as the mariner's compass, or the galvanic battery. The American's at Queenstown have been, we learn, successful. 'Aik v other transit takes place in 1882, and the v next following in 2004. Very general regret was expressed that Lieutenant Crawford should have been so disappointed—it being < well known how anxiously all. preparations r.. were made; besides which, by bis readiness - to impart information, he had secured many well-wishers. . .