166 Geographical Collections, 



The calculations are, in general, carried one place farther in the decimals 

 than has hitherto been done ; that is, all quantities expressed in time are 

 carried to two places of decimals in the seconds j and those in space, to one 

 place. 



The moon's right ascension and declination are given to every hour ,- and 

 to the declinations are annexed the differences for every five minutes. 



The places of the six principal planets are to be given for every day ; and 

 those of the four new planets for every fourth day : with an ephemeris of 

 the latter for every day, for one month before and after their opposition. 



The co-efficients, A, B, C, D, which are used for computing the apparent 

 places of the stars, are to be given for every day. 



The apparent contacts of Jupiter's satellites, and also of their shadows, 

 with the planet, are to be inserted. 



The lunar distances of the planets are also to be inserted: with the 

 proportional logarithm of the first difference annexed to all the lunar distances. 



Predicted occultations, (visible at Greenwich,) of planets and fixed stars, 

 to the sixth magnitude inclusive, are to be given ; and also, 



Elements for predicting such occultations of the planets and fixed stars, 

 to the fifth magnitude inclusive, as may be visible in any habitable part of 

 the globe j with the limits of latitude annexed, within which they will be 

 visible. 



The apparent places of the fixed stars are to be increased to 100 in 

 number; a and d Ursce Minoris are to be given for every day; and the 

 remainder for every tenth day, as usual, but with the differences annexed. 



The list of moon-culminating stars is to be incorporated with the work ; 

 and various tables added for facilitating the computations connected with 

 this interesting and useful branch of practical astronomy. 



These are nfew only of the numerous alterations and additions that have 

 been made to this national work. To enumerate the whole of them would 

 far exceed the limits which we can conveniently devote to the subject ; and 

 we must, therefore, refer the reader to the Report itself. They are of a nature, 

 as the Council very justly observe, to satisfy not only the wishes of the 

 astronomer, but also the demands of the navigator ; and (what is also very 

 gratifying to hear) are not likely, with a due regard to economy, to add 

 much to the expense of the publication. 



Upon the whole, we cannot help congratulating the public upon this vast 

 accession of strength to the most useful branches of astronomy and naviga- 

 tion ; and we consider that they are much indebted to the Council of the 

 Astronomical Society, for the great labour and time which they have devoted 

 to this important subject. It appears that an interval of two or three years 

 must necessarily elapse before these improvements can be completely carried 

 into effect. The Nautical Almanac for 1833 is already computed, and nearly 

 ready for publication ; so that the proposed alterations cannot take place till 

 the year 1834 ; and the Council have particularly requested that they be not 

 deferred beyond that period. 



With a view of ensuring a greater degree of accuracy in the computations, 

 and as a means of detecting any errors, the Council have recommended that, 

 in the preface to each year's Almanac, there be inserted an account of all the 

 tables and authorities depended upon in every computation, with an express 

 notice of such equations as may be omitted, or of any corrections introduced. 

 And they have also recommended that notice of any errors should be adver- 

 tised in the London Gazette, and in some of the public papers, as soon as 

 possible after their discovery. 



If these suggestions are strictly attended to, and the wholesome advice 

 given by the Council be duly followed, we have no doubt that the important 

 and valuable contents of the New Nautical Almanac will ensure it a place in 

 almost every vessel that sails on the ocean, and in eveiy active observatory 

 in the world. — ^nn. of Phil. Jan. 1831. 



