ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ASTRONOMY II3 



To construct a satisfactory working policy for the Carnegie Insti- 

 tution in its relation to astronomy, as well as to other sciences, is 

 manifestly to be the work of time and experience. Tn a general 

 way it might appear reasonable that the Institution should endeavor 

 to accomplish distinct results in definite lines rather than to spread 

 itself over the entire range of astrononi}^ in a miscellaneous way 

 without definite aims. Yet it might be difficult for the Institution 

 to decide upon the directions in which it could most advantageouslj^ 

 throw the weight of its support until experience shall have con- 

 tributed to a solution of the problem. Among the objects it may 

 decide to support at first will be found some that are worthy of con- 

 tinued recognition, both because of their great and obvious impor- 

 tance to the progress of astronomy and because of the efficiency of 

 the particular investigators selected to carry them out. 



The massing of miscellaneous astronomical investigations under 

 a single executive head in a great institution does not commend itself 

 to my judgment as economical or as likely to bring to the front the 

 kind of power which is necessary for the highest form of research. 

 In such an institution the main current is apt to be sluggish. It is 

 true that such institutions are valuable when they can be controlled, 

 on special occasions, to the exclusive support of some great investi- 

 gation like those upon the planetary system which were carried on 

 in different countries at different times by I^e Verrier and Newcomb, 

 and that they may also be valuable for purposes of stellar and plan- 

 etary observ'ation as illustrated at Greenwich, Cape of Good Hope, 

 Paris, and Pulkowa. In general, their usefulness is not in propor- 

 tion to the expenditure. 



Furthermore, we have the expressed wishes of Mr. Carnegie in 

 favor of arriving at the promotion of pure scientific investigation, 

 so far as possible, through aid extended to existing institutions. 



Astronomy might be efl&ciently aided through the maintenance of 

 a new observatory in the southern hemisphere. It is not desirable 

 that this should be an elaborate affair — merely an astronomical sta- 

 tion, with a very small permanent staff to serve as a convenience or 

 nucleus for expeditions sent out from the United States for special 

 objects from time to time. Such expeditions have been sent from 

 this countr}^ already. In 1850 Captain Gillis, of the Navy, was- 

 sent to Santiago de Chile to make observations of the southern stars. 

 The lyick Observator)^ will shortly send an expedition to measure 

 the motions in the line of sight of southern stars. Dr. Gould's 

 great undertaking for observation of the southern stars, 1 871-1884, 



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