TRANSIT OF VENUS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3025, 7 December 1882, Page 2

TRANSIT OF VENUS.

Last night, up to midnight, it appeared as though the weather would be' favorable for the observation of the Transit, and Archdeacon Harper, who had taken a deep interest in the matter—with his assistants (Messrs Bower and Tate) —. looked forward with hopefulness to the < event. An excellent astronomical tele- . scope, imported by Archdeacon Harper, had been fixed in position on the Parsonage grounds, and at 5 o’clock this morning the little party “ stood by," The sky, however, was filled with heavy clouds, and there being not a breath of ; wind, no chance of observation presented itself. It appears that the moat important time was the last six minutes, and the party - hoped the clouds would clear away and give them a chance of seeing the end of the contact; but they were disappointed. Every one accustomed to astronomical observation, or indeed to any process of investigation will sympathise with the Archdeacon in bis disappointment. T “ Wellington, Dec. 7. An excellent observation of the transit of Venus was obtained here this morning. The weather was fine and clear with a cloudless sky. Christchurch, Dec. 7. For some- little time after sunrise this morning light cirrus clouds proved an obstacle to a clear definition of the transit of Venus, but during the later stages the atmosphere was perfectly clear. Immense numbers of people were watching the pbeuometa. The operations by the English observers at Burnham have been highly successful. Nbw Plymouth, Deo. 7. Although at times the clouds passed over the sun during the transit, at the time of internal contact at egress 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, ChiefSurveyor and Mr O’Donohao, who was about 100 yards from the main observatory. On comparing the records there was only one second difference between the two observatories. : Dunedin, Dec. 7. The transit of Venus was well observed hero for quite three-quarters of an hour. The Government observers say that the observations were made with excellent results.