52 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 34 



The station at Mount Montezuma made daily observations. They 

 were not communicated daily, as formerly, until after the revised 

 method above referred to was finished. This was not until after the 

 close of the period covered by this report. 



By the generosity of John A. Roebling, a new station on Mount 

 St. Katherine near Mount Sinai, Egypt, was occupied. By coopera- 

 tion of His Eminence the Archbishop Porphyrio III, the buildings, 

 consisting of the observatory and a nearby dwelling and shop, and the 

 approaches thereto over the excessively rough mountain were built 

 by the St. Katherine Monastery. The monastery also undertakes 

 to carry forward the supplies by camel train from Tor on the 

 Red Sea. 



The station is at an elevation of about 8,500 feet in a wildly moun- 

 tainous region, destitute of vegetation and almost destitute of rain- 

 fall. It is difficultly accessible. The staff comprises H. H. Zodtner, 

 with wife and two infant children, and F. A. Greeley, Observations 

 were begun in December 1933 and have proceeded regularly. It is 

 yet too soon to be sure how satisfactory the meteorological conditions 

 will prove, but while the station is not equal to Alount Montezuma, 

 it is believed to be superior to Table Mountain in this respect. 



PERSONNEL 



No changes have occurred from last year's list, except that Wilson 

 R. Maltby succeeded Walter Watson, Jr., as assistant at Mount 

 Montezuma on June 23, 1933, Mr. Watson reporting as assistant at 

 Table Mountain. 



SUMMARY 



A revised method of reduction of solar-constant observations 

 has been completed and applied at Mount Montezuma, resulting in 

 improved accuracy. The Eighth Revised Edition of the Smithsonian 

 Physical Tables, prepared by Mr. Fowle and greatly enlarged over 

 previous editions, has been pubhshed. Much progress has been 

 made in the study of the relations of solar variation to the weather. 

 Daily solar-constant values have been broadcast. A new solar- 

 constant observatory has been established at Mount St. Katherine 

 near Mount Sinai, Egypt. 



Respectfully submitted. 



C. G. Abbot, Director. 



The Secretary, 



Smithsonian Institution. 



