290 SCIENTrnC record for 1882. 



" This point, is in 10° south latitude, 150'^ west longitude, and is proba- 

 bly the only point where the eclipse could be observed. To reach this 

 island a schooner or steamer would have to be chartered especially for 

 the voyage ; the expense of such a vessel suitable for the purpose would 

 be about $6,000." 



It is now probable that this eclipse will be observed by an expedition 

 sent out under the auspices of the ;N"ational Academy of Sciences and 

 the United States Coast Survey. The party will probably consist of 

 Professor Holden, of the Washburn Observatory, Professor Hastings, 

 of Johns Hopkins University, of Mr. Rockwell, and Prof. C. S. Peirce, of 

 the Coast Survey. Two photographers sent by the Royal Society of 

 London will also join the party. 



Solar spectrum. — A new map of the solar spectrum, containing a much 

 larger number of lines than are shown in Angstrom's normal spec- 

 trum, has been published by Dr. H. C. Vogel, of Potsdam. Particular 

 attention has been given b^^ Dr. Vogel to the characters as well as to 

 the positions of the lines. 



Transit of Vemis, December 6, 1882. — It is yet too soon to speak of the 

 success of the various observing parties sent out to observe this transit. 

 From reports already received, it appears that the observations were, 

 on the whole, quite successful, although the weather in Europe was bad. 

 Mr. Stone, director of the Radclitfe Observatory, regards the contact 

 observations as alone sufficient for the solution of the problem of the 

 solar parallax, and it is certain that enough photographs have been se- 

 cured by the United States Government parties and by the Lick Ob- 

 servatory party to insure a good determination by this means also. 



The following are the stations of the different parties: 

 Cape of Good Hope : 



Chief astronomer. Prof. S. Newcomb, U. S. N. 



Assistant astronomer, Lieut. T. L. Casey, jr., U. S. Engineers. 



Additional assistant astronomer, Engineer J. H. L. Holcombe, 

 U. S. N. 



Photographer, Mr. Julius Ulke. 

 Santa Cruz, Patagonia: 



Chief astronomer, Lieut. Samuel W. Very, U. S. N. 



Assistant astronomer, Mr. O. B. Wheeler. 



Photographer, Mr. William Bell. 



Assistant photographer, Mr. Irvin Stanley. 

 New Zealand : 



Chief astronomer, Mr. Edwin Smith, United States Coast and Geo- 

 detic Survey. 



Assistant astronomer, Mr. Henry S. Pritchett. 



Photographer, Mr. Augustus Story. 



Assistant photographer, Mr. Gustav Theilkuhl. 



I 



