REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OBSERVATORIES 131 



[From Director E. Becker, of the University Observatory , Strassburg .] 



[Translation.] 



Strassburg, Atigust 23, 1903. 



I take note of your letter of July 8 with the highest interest, and 

 I fully assent to the opinions therein expressed. It is a fact not to 

 be overlooked, and one originating in the distribution of observa- 

 tories upon the earth, that our knowledge of the southern heavens 

 is very much behind that of the northern hemisphere. So long as 

 this inequality exists we must necessarily relinquish the idea of ob- 

 taining a satisfactory solution of many and indeed the most impor- 

 tant cosmic problems. That this deficiency will be remedied within 

 a time which we can now foresee by the establishment of new gov- 

 ernmental observatories in the southern hemisphere is not to be 

 expected, and an effort must be made — which would be greeted 

 with the greatest joy in case of success — to induce private institu- 

 tions to lend a helping hand. An observatory established in a 

 favorable site, equipped with modern instruments, under skilled 

 and energetic direction, with a staff of experienced observers and 

 practiced computers not too small in number, in my judgment 

 would be able to complete a work which would suffice to fill up the 

 gaps in our knowledge that are now most deplored. 



What tasks are deserving of the most prominent place on the pro- 

 gram is a question which it is not entirely easy to answer from an 

 objective point of view, and the answer would also depend upon 

 the means that are available. On the whole, I am in sympathy 

 with the arrangement set forth in your statement, and, for my part, 

 would assign the preference to propositions 1, 3, 4, and 5, with- 

 out underestimating the importance of the other tasks. As to 1, it 

 appears to me worthy of consideration, whether upon grounds of 

 economy, the undertaking ought not to be limited to stars of the 

 sixth magnitude, or, in any case, to those of the sixth and one half, 

 and whether the determination of position for stars fainter than the 

 sixth or sixth and one half magnitude should not be assigned to 

 the zone work, which, according to experience, is susceptible of 

 producing very accurate results. 



