THE AMERICAN ASTRONOMERS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4314, 18 January 1875, Page 3

THE AMERICAN ASTRONOMERS.

(From the Otago Daily Times.) The American war steamer Swatara quickly completed her mission at the Chatham Islands, and returned here, bringing Mr. Edwin Smith, the chief astronomer, and the party of observers under him, who weredeputed to watch the transit of Venus from the Chathams. Their names are Mr. Scott, assistant astronomer ; Mr. Bidder, chief photographer ; Mr. Raw, assistant photographer : Mr. Jainter, instrument maker. If their labours were not attended with success commensurate with the object in view, it is gratifying to know that the observation of the transit of our American friends at the Chathams was not an utter failure. Mr. Smith informs us that the weather, both on the day before and on the day of the transit, was simply execrable. Clouds, thick mist, and rain prevailed, and hence, when the time of the transit came, Venus was halt on the Sun before a direct observation could be obtained. Thus the point of ingress was unfortunately missed, but during the next eight minutes a series of very good sights were taken. Then a short period of obscuration followed, and was succeeded by a period of comparative brightness, during which a succession of photographs were secured. Dense clouds then swept up and completely hid

the Sun during the rest of the transit. We are obliged to Mr. Smith for a glance at several of the photos., one or two of them being remarkably good, whilst one, perhaps the beat of all, if regarded from a purely artistic point oE view, was a photo, of that part of the sky where the Sun was hut obscured by the clouds. Mr. Buhler and Ids assistant made good use of their time at the Chathams, quite a number of admirably executed views of the place, and a few of the principal inhabitants, being taken. It may be recollected that the Swatara left here on the 30th of last month for the Chathams. She had a rough time going there, strong N.E. winds heading her during the greater part of the passage, and then as the fand was approached, the wind came strong out of the N. W. with very thick rainy weather. Laud was sighted on the afternoon of the 3rd hist., and the islands were rounded and a lee obtained before dark. The Swatara lay to for the night, and on the following morning ran into Whangaroa Harbor, her appearance being hailed with a round of cheers from the observing party on shore. The next two days were spent in packing up instruments and striking the observers’ encampment; and, everything; being shipped, the Swatara weighed anchor on the morning of the 6th,'.and at'B a.ra. stood to sea ; experienced fresh N.W. winds the first day, and after that light and moderate easterly weather. She was within sight of the Heads early yesterdayafternoon, and ran in and anchored by 4 p.m. The Swatara comes here to embark the Queenstown observation party and their instruments. Hence she goes to Wellington, and then to Hobarton, and from there proceeds to Melbourne, where the scientists she will have on hoard are to attend the Scientific Congress that is to he held there.