REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OBSERVATORIES II 5 



photographic instrument similar to that used for the Astrographic 

 Chart. This instrument could also render valuable ser\dce in other 

 lines of work. 



Among the eighteen observ^atories that were associated in the 

 work of the Astrographic Chart there is one that has not held to 

 its engagement. This is the observatory at Santiago, Chile. It is 

 in order to fill its place. You could furnish invaluable assistance 

 to this vast scientific enterprise should you also devote this instru- 

 ment to the work of the Astrographic Chart. 



In a favorable climate an experienced observ^er, aided by two 

 assistants, could accomplish it in about eight years and could secure 

 all the plates for this zone — 1,260 plates for the catalogue and 1,260 

 for the chart. This period of time should suflSce, now that all the 

 methods are so well established. 



In providing the catalogue of comparison stars, or by undertaking 

 the vacant zone, or, better still, by accomplishing both tasks at the 

 same time, America would find her opportunity to occupy a most 

 honorable place in this vast international enterprise, whose success, 

 which is now assured, will be without the least doubt the occasion 

 of numerous and noteworthy discoveries. 



Finally, it seems to me proper to mention a very useful and inex- 

 pensive work which could be undertaken by one or the other of the 

 two proposed observatories, and which up to the present time has 

 been wholly neglected in the southern hemisphere — the systematic 

 observation of meteors. An experienced astronomer, with the aid 

 of one assistant, in three or four years would be able to produce 

 important results in this line. It is in respect to the discovery of 

 stationary radiants, the activity of which lasts for weeks and even 

 months, that he would suppl}^ most valuable material for the study 

 of the causes and conditions which produce this curious phenomenon. 

 On the other hand, one could also reasonably hope to run across 

 some notable swarm of meteors in connection with the periodic 

 comets, examples of which, still so rare (four in all) have been 

 observed onl}^ in the northern hemisphere. This would be a partic- 

 ularly desirable contribution, which might render possible a more 

 searching investigation of the close relation existing between comets 

 and meteors ; also comparison of the frequency with which meteors 

 appear in different seasons of the year cannot fail to bring enlight- 

 enment on the origin and velocities of meteors. 



In that which concerns the location of the astronomical station 

 the latitude should certainly not be north of — 30°, as you have 



