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No. XXIII 



Continuation of Astronomical Observations, made at Lancaster, 

 Pennsylvania. In a letter from Andrew Ellicott, Esq. to R. 

 Patterson. 



Read Oft. 7th, 1803: 



Lancaster Oft. 1st, 1803. 

 DEAR SIR, 



I now forward a continuation of my astronomical obser- 

 vations, made at this place : they would have been more nu- 

 merous had the weather permitted. The season has been re- 

 markably unfavourable for such pursuits. 



The results of the observations on the solar eclipse of the 

 21st of February, the occultations the 30th of March, 27th 

 of May, and 23d of September last, I have not as yet 

 had time to make out: — the duties of my office admitting 

 of but little leisure for scientific enquiries. — But to the obser- 

 vations. 



Feb. 21st, 1803. Observations on the beginning of a solar 

 eclipse. 



The day was cloudy till about half an hour before the be- 

 ginning of the eclipse; on which account I had made no 

 preparations to observe it. — A few minutes before the time cal- 

 culated for the beginning, I directed the telescope to the 

 sun; the lower limb was very tremulous, and indented in many 

 places by a waving, serpentine motion, which will frequently 

 be observed when the sun is near the horizon : — these indents, 

 combined with other causes, produced an uncertainty of a 

 few seconds, (though probably not more than 10 or 12) in 

 the beginning, which I observed at 5 h 4' 57" mean time, or 

 4 b 50' 57" apparent time. 



