156 RECORD OF SCIENCE FOR 1886. 



comets and planets. Geographical positions wore determined for six 

 towns in central Asia. 



Temple Observatory (1886). — Observations of double stars have been 

 continued, and spectroscopic observations to determine tbe motion of 

 stars in tbe line of sight. 



United States Naval Observatory (188G). — No material change has 

 been made in the character of the work. l*ioi'essor Hall has used tbe 

 2G inch refractor in observations of Saturn, of double stars, and of 

 satellites; and also for determinations of stellar i)arallax. No deteriora- 

 tion of the objective has been noticed since it was repolished ten years 

 ago. 



The transit circle has been employed in observations of the sun, 

 moon, planets, and such stars as are necessary to complete the data 

 for a transit-circle catalogue, which will contain all of the miscellaneous 

 stars observed since the instrument was mounted, twenty years ago. 

 The reductions are somewhat behindhand on account or the inade- 

 quate computing force. The 9.6 inch equatorial has been used in the 

 observation of comets, asteroids, and the occultation of stars by the 

 moon ; and the llcpsold meridian circle at Annapolis temporarily, under 

 the direction of the Superintendent of the Washington Observatory, in 

 the observation of a list of southern stars. The revision of Yarn all's 

 catalogue and the reduction of recent observations with the prime 

 vertical instrument are progressing favorably-. Photographs of the sun 

 have been taken with the photo-heliograph used during the transit of 

 Venus. Ninety-eight negatives showing spots were secured between 

 January 11 and September 30, 1886. 



The extensive time-service of the observatory is in an efiBcient state, 

 and the chronometer tests inaugurated a few years ago have proved of 

 great benefit to^he naval service. Considerable attention has also 

 been given to the examination of nautical instruments, thermometers, 

 etc., for the Navy. 



The volume for 1882, and Appendices i, ii, and iii to the volume for 

 1883 have been distributed. 



Commodore Belknap was relieved from duty as Superintendent on 

 June 7, 188G, by Commander A. D. Brown, and Commander Brown on 

 November 15 by Capt. Robert L. Phythian. 



The expenses of the observatory are met by annual appropriations 

 from Congress, the naval officers (including i)rofessors) receiving the 

 pay of their respective ranks. The pay of fourteen officers attached to 

 the observatory December 1, 1886, aggregated $31,400. 



The specific appropriation for the observatory for the year ending 

 June 30, 1886, contains the following items: For pay of three assistant 

 astronomers, $3,600; one clerk, $1,800; instrument maker, $1,500; four 

 watclunen, $1,880; assistant for the 26inch equatorial, $720; gardener, 

 $1,000 ; seven laborers, $1,630 ; for miscellaneous computations, $ 1 ,200 ; 

 purchase of apparatus and material for repairs of instruments, $2,500; 



