THE 



POPULAR SCIENCE 



MONTHLY, 



MARCH, 1915 



ASTEOXOMY ON THE PACIFIC COAST 



By Peofessob RUSSELL TRACY CRAWFORD 



THIS subject brings instantly to the mind's eye the Lick Observatory 

 on Mount Hamilton, and the Solar Observatory on Mount Wil- 

 son, as they are two of the greatest astronomical observatories in the 

 world, and probably the best generally known of all. The one is an 

 asset of the Pacific coast, probably accidentally, the other was placed 

 there as a result of mature deliberation after thorough investigation of 

 many locations. In addition to these two wonderful institutions there 

 is in process of construction a third great observatory near Victoria, 

 B. C, which, when completed, will contain the second largest reflecting 

 telescope in the world. It is evident, therefore, that conditions on this 

 coast are extremely favorable for developing the practical side of 

 astronomy. On the other hand, the theoretical side of the subject is by 

 no means to be lost sight of, as I shall point out. 



In the early days before the erection of the Lick Observatory, the 

 only astronomical work on the Pacific Coast was that done by the TJ. S. 

 Coast and Geodetic Survey under the able direction of the late Pro- 

 fessor George Davidson. This was not astronomical work as such, but 

 merely the solving of such astronomical practical problems as were inci- 

 dent to the regular work of the survey. The first real scientific astro- 

 nomical investigations came with the advent of the Lick Observatory. 



This institution is the gift of James Lick, a California pioneer, who 

 had amassed a fortune of several million dollars. 



On July 16, 1874, lie executed a deed of trust -n-hich devoted the entire sum 

 to public purposes. 



Among the provisions of the deed is one that directed the trustees 



to expend the sum of seven hundred thousand dollars for the purpose of con- 

 structing ... a powerful telescope, superior to and more powerful than any 

 telescope ever yet made, with all the machinery appertaining thereto. . . . 



He left the trustees certain discretionary powers as to its location 



VOL. LXXXVI. — 15. 



