NEXT TRANSIT OF VENUS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2686, 28 October 1881, Page 2

NEXT TRANSIT OF VENUS.

(“ Australasian,”)

Astronomers throughout the world are already busy making preparations for the observation of the transit of Venus which is to occur on December 7, 1882. Every effort is being made to perfect the arrangements, for it is recognised tnat no other opportunity for determining the difficult problem of the sun’s distance from the earth by means of the phenomena available on such rare occasions »s the passage of Venus over the sun’s disc will occur again until the year 2004 Possibly before that period arrives the sun’s distance may have been determined by other methods, but the astronomers of the nineteenth century naturally feel that for their sake it behoves them to make the most of the favorable opportunity which will be afforded them next year. Expeditions of observation will have to be despatched to several points, but fortunately the stations will not be so difficult of access as in 1874. There are four astronomical phases of the phenomena to be watched, and Australia and New Zealand will be the most favorable positions for the observation of the fourth phase—viz., egress retarded. It is proposed to send an expedition to Auckland, where it will arrive early in September next, but for the observations required in Australia the Imperial authorities do not intend to make any special provision, but will rely on the efforts of the colonial astronomers and we feel every confidence that they may do so without hesitation. Stations will probably be organised in the northern portions of the continent, but in Victoria we shall not be required to go to any particular expense, although a station may possibly be established somewhere across the Dividing Range, in the Sandhurst district. The committee of the Royal Society, whicn has been advising the Admiralty on the subject, consider it desirable that stations should be established in South Africa and on southern coast of Madagascar, in the West Indies, and in the Falkland Islands. The cost to the Imperial Treasury is estimated at about £15,500. At one time it was believed an Antarctic expedition would be required, but this has been abandoned as unnecessary. Great interest will certainly be taken in these colonies in the successful observation of the transit, and we draw early attention to the subject in order that all necessary arrangements may be made with the care and scientific accuracy which the occasion demands.