12 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 



Now, precisely the greatest obstacle to a clear view of the stellar 

 problem is the comparative lack of information about the stars in the 

 far southern sky that are invisible to northern observers. When a 

 sufficient number of accurately observed facts concerning these shall 

 have been obtained, research upon the sidereal problem will have 

 received a strong impulse forward. If for any reasons it is desirable 

 to know the accurate distance between two points, no expenditure of 

 labor and skill upon the measurement of three quarters of that dis- 

 tance is of full effect if our knowledge of the remaining fourth de- 

 pends upon a rough reconnoissance. The observational situation in 

 the southern hemisphere is fairly illustrated by means of this com- 

 parison, which also illustrates how the execution of the proposed 

 observations in the southern hemisphere would increase the value of 

 what has been already accomplished by northern observers. 



In the directions where we were most likely to obtain trustworthy 

 information as to the probabilities we have made careful inquiry to 

 ascertain whether there is any present likelihood of increase in 

 astronomical activity in the southern hemisphere through existing 

 agencies, and we have not only failed to learn of any such likeli- 

 hood, but, as will be shown, it has become clear that the present 

 and prospective resources of the southern hemisphere are scarcely 

 adequate to the fulfilment of existing obligations, for which we 

 had supposed that adequate provision had already been made. 



The works of observation that we propose could probably be 

 brought to a successful conclusion within ten or twelve years from 

 the time of beginning. While we are confident that the necessity 

 for maintaining the proposed observing station for a still longer 

 period after the expiration of its first mission would be as keenly 

 felt then as now, that will be a question for the future to decide in 

 the light of experience. Funds of the Institution need not be tied 

 up for this purpose in perpetuity. 



Thus we have in the proposed Southern Observatory two impor- 

 tant requisites that would seem to commend it to the favorable 

 attention of the Carnegie Institution : 



(a) A project of broad scope, embracing also features of minor 

 scope, that may lead to important discoveries and that will certainly 

 " fill gaps in knowledge of particular things." 



(b) It does not " enter the field of existing organizations," and 

 does not propose " to do anything which is being well done by other 

 agencies." 



