REPORTS OF ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORIES. G")! 



{h) Chronometers : one pockut cliionometcr, mciui time; by JouxsoN, 

 Loudon: one sidereal; by Poole, London, improved by Xegus, Xew 

 York. 



(i) MisceUaneous : Two bitilar position-micrometers, one by Dollon^), 

 the other by Fauth & Co., Washin-ton, I). C; a patent sextant and 

 a patent retlecting circle, by Pistor & Martins, Perlin ; repeatinj^: 

 relays, sounders, &c., for tune service. Yale College has also in use a 

 5-iuch 10-foot refractor by Dollond; a sidereal clock and a 1'0-inch 

 transit instrument, in charge of Professor LoOMis. 



The horological bureau is a department of the AVinchester Observa- 

 tory, organized in January, 1880, with a special equipment of instru- 

 ments for a regular and extended public time service. The standard 

 time, by law of the State, is that of the meridian of the city hall, New 

 York, which is 4"' 1J>^(! slow of New Ilaven, and 12'" J0^5fast of Wasli- 

 ingtou. Another important work of the bareau is the testing of watches 

 and chronometers in the interest of the watch manidacture, for which 

 hot and cold closets and other special facilities are provided. 



There is also connected with the Observatory a thermometrical bureau, 

 in charge of Dr. Waldo, for the verificatiou of clinical and other ther- 

 mometers. It is amply furnished with the best standards, ai)paratus of 

 comparison, and other facilities for this work. About 1,000 thermome- 

 ters have been tested in the last six mouths. 



A. Eepsold & Sons, of Hamburg, are constructing for the Observa- 

 tory a heliometer of inches aperture and embodying the latest imi)rove- 

 ments. It is to be finished during the year 1881. 



Observations during the past year (LS80): 



(«) Besides the regular time-service and the thermometric work, a 

 series of observations has been made, with interchange of the observ- 

 ers, for determining telegraphically the ditference of longitude between 

 Cambridge and Xew Ilaven, the observers being Prof. WilliA3iA. 

 Sogers, of Cambridge, and Dr. Waldo, of New Haven. 



Work proposed for the coming year (1881-'82): 



The regular time and thermometric service, and the erection of a 

 building for the heliometer, with preparation for observing the approach- 

 ing- transit of Venus, and for other work with this instrument. 



Newington, Hartford Cointti/, Connecticut. 



Fr irate Ob,serraforij. 



Longitude from Washington, 21"^ 25=^ E. 

 Latitude, 41^ 44' 0" X. 



Authority for latitude and longitude : Difference from Hartford State- 

 house, Coast Survey. 



Director: D. W. Edgecomb. 



