Report of the Astroiiomical Society. 275 



colour, or situation ; — as well as observation^ on double stars, 

 tending, in like manner, not only to the enlargement and perfec- 

 tion of the present catalogues, but also to the determination of 

 their angular distance, and of their angle of position; — together 

 uith observations on uebuL-e — appear proper subjects of such re- 

 ward. To these may be added, observations on refraction, with 

 a view to the more perfect theory of that phaenomenon ; parti- 

 cularly at low altitudes, where irregularities take place, when lit- 

 tle or no variation has taken place in the barometer or thermo- 

 meter : — observations on the tides, particularly in situations 

 where the current is not influenced by any contiguous continent, 

 as will be more fully alluded to in the sequel : — observations tend- 

 ing to determine the true figure of the sun, or of the earth: — 

 and, in short, any observations which may be considered likely 

 to advance and improve the science. 



But, it is not to observations alone that the Council would wish 

 to confine the bestowing of the Society's medal. The reduction 

 of observations when made is another and oftentimes a more la- 

 borious task : and, without the latter, the former would be of 

 little or no service to the astronomer. To this subject, there- 

 fore, the Council wish to invite the attention of the computer ; 

 as well as to the formation of more simple and easy tables, for 

 the reduction of astronomical observations, than those at present 

 in existence. The formation of new tables for the more recently 

 discovered planets, as well as more accurate tables of the sun, 

 moon and other planets, together with those of Jupiter's satel- 

 lites, is a subject too important to need the recommendation of 

 this Society. The comparison likewise of the places of any of 

 these bodies, observed in the present century at any of the prin- 

 cipal observatories, with their places deduced from the most ap- 

 proved tables, but more particularly those of the moon, is an ob- 

 ject worthy of encouragement. In the latter case, however, it 

 would be desirable that the numerical value of the arguments of 

 the principal equations should be annexed to each comparison : 

 and that, in all cases, the principles on which the deductions are 

 made should be fully and clearly stated. Rut, independent of 

 these subjects, there are many other useful tables tending to fa- 

 cilitate astronomical calculations, some of a permanent and others 

 of a temporary or local nature, which would be a great assistance 

 to the practical astronomer, and worthy the patronage of this 

 Society. And, without particularizing such subjects, the Council 

 wish it to be understood that these are amongst the objects which 

 tliey are desirous to reward with the Society's medal. 



The Council likewise wish to direct the attention of the diligent 



inquirer to the recorded observations of preceding astronomers, 



not only uith a view to discover whether any observations are to 



M m 2 bit 



