CHAPTER IL— THE OBSERVATORIES OF SOUTH 

 AMERICA. 



Dk. Copelands Astronomical Experiments in the High Andes 



OF Peru (1883). 



During the early part of tlie year 1883, Dr. Ralph Copeland, now 

 Astronomer Royal for Scotland, spent some months at high stations in 

 the Andes for the purpose of testing their suitability for astronomical 

 work. He had with him a 6-inch refractor and thus was able to make 

 real tests. The principal stations occupied were La Paz (12,050 feet) 

 Puno (12,608 feet) and Vinocaya (14,360 feet). At the latter place the 

 sky was very pure during his lirst visit (March 1-16), and on the few 

 occasions when the telescope could be used the definition was very 

 good. At a second visit, June 5 to 27, there was a much greater 

 j)roportion of unclouded weather, but on the other hand there was 

 more dust in the atmosphere. At Puno, also, there was often dust in 

 the atmosphere and the sky was milky from this cause. July to 

 December is the unclouded season. Dr. Copeland's conclusions are 

 tliat observing stations can certainly be found in the region examined 

 that would possess great advantages over sites in Europe. Consid- 

 I'ring everything he seems to favor a medium elevation, say 12,000 to 

 13,000 feet, rather than a higher level. The whole report is of much 

 value to astronomers. 



Dr. Copeland remarks that the people who reside permanently at 

 14,00<) feet elevation in these countries seem to be entirely healthy 

 and to do a full day's work ; and he makes the clever observation that 

 the hammers in the machine shops at Vinocaya (14,360 feet) were as 

 heavy as those used in England. 



Mountain Stations Established by the Harvard College Ob- 

 servatory IN Peru. 



The astronomical station of the Harvard College Observatory in 

 Peru is in the town of Arequipa (8060 feet). Fourteen miles from 

 Arequipa is the mountain Chachani (20,000 feet) which is always 

 snow-capped. A station has been established on the slopes of this 

 peak 16,650 feet above sea-level. The ascent from Arequipa can be 



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