28 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION 



pears very improbable that they will receive proper attention from 

 other agencies within a reasonable time in the future. 



Works of Observation Proposed and Instrumental Requirements. 



We come now to the consideration of the particular works of ob- 

 servation which, in our opinion, could be undertaken to the best 

 advantage by the proposed Southern Observatory. It is neither 

 possible nor desirable that this one institution should undertake to 

 make up all existing deficiencies in astronomical observation in the 

 southern hemisphere. Other agencies have a responsibility in this 

 field. New forces coming to the rescue ought to, and doubtless 

 would, inspire the existing forces of astronomy in the southern 

 hemisphere to still greater effort. 



While not attempting to establish an inflexible criterion of selec- 

 tion for works of observation, we are of the opinion that the primarj r 

 aim of the proposed Southern Observatory should be to make itself 

 felt in the attack upon the sidereal problem as we have defined it — 

 that it should seek to throw light upon the structure and mechanism 

 of the stellar system as a unit. In other respects less attention need 

 be given to those projects of observation that would suffer less by 

 delay. 



In preparing the schedule of proposed works we have been greatty 

 assisted by the advice of astronomers whom we have consulted for 

 this purpose. Their letters in response to our inquiries will be 

 found in Appendix B, together with a preliminary statement of 

 works proposed which forms the basis of the comments with which 

 we have been favored. These comments have proved a most welcome 

 assistance, and we have been strongly influenced b>* them in making 

 up the schedule of proposed works. 



(i) Fundamental Meridian Observations. 



We regard meridian observations of precision, upon the brighter 

 stars, to be of the first importance in any attempt to relieve the situa- 

 tion in the southern hemisphere. In this we are sustained b) r the 

 nearly unanimous verdict of those whom we have consulted. 



We are clear upon the proposition that the exact positions of about 

 6,000 stars (including all down to the seventh magnitude that are 

 south of — 2o°of declination) should be determined by fundamental 

 methods, both for the interest which this work commands as an inde- 



