STUDY OF ASTRONOMY.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1922, Page 7

STUDY OF ASTRONOMY.

NEW PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. The executive council of the New Plymouth Astronomical Society met at the residence of the president (Dr. G. Home) on Friday evening. The hon. director (Rev. O. Blundell) occupied the chair. The chairman extended a cordial welcome to the two new members of the council, elected at the recent annual meeting of the society, Mr. Messenger and Dr. Wade, who suitably responded. A statement of the finances showed that the nett proceeds from the lectures delivered by the hon. director in Julyamounted to over £2l, and that there is a credit balance to date of £9 8s 2d. A discussion arose as to the desirability of testing the atmospheric conditions at a higher altitude than the observatory stands at, with a view to discovering the best place in the district for telescopic work. The hon. director offered to provide a 2%-inch refracting telescope with which to test the conditions at the Tahurangi mountain house. It was decided to accept the offer and to take steps to place the telescope at the mountain house; also to insure the instrument while there, and to arrange for its protection and proper usage. Mr. G. H. Dolby gave a most instructive paper upon the planet Mars, which was followed by a very interesting discussion. Drawings, made at the observatory, of Mars during the recent opposition were exhibited, also one of the lunar crater Wargen tin.

Mr. T. M. Avery was requested to prepare a paper on eclipses for the next meeting.