380 Astronomy and Photography at Rome. 



* 



that to a certainty the entire disc of the planet was visible, and 

 not merely the small portion illuminated by the sun. The mag- 

 nifying power used was 120. The sun had set not long before. 

 The thing is true, and was seen also by the others present. We 

 have since happened to learn, that the same phenomenon was 

 manifest to Meyer, at Griefswald, Oct. 20, 1759 ; to Harding, in 

 1806, on Jan. 24, Feb. 24, and March 28, in the morning j and 

 lastly to Schroter, Feb. 14, 1806." 



" 1841, April 19. — The same appearances." 



N 1841, April 21, at 6 of the evening. — The spot of the north- 

 ern horn appeared nearer to the limit of the shadow, and perhaps 

 was already in part immersed in the penumbra. Magnifying 

 power 241. At 6h. 33m., it was seen surrounded with very 

 bright light. With a magnifying power of 824, it was seen to 

 be exactly like a lunar crater, when its highest banks are illumi- 

 nated from the vertex two-thirds downwards. The Signor Pa- 

 lomba measured the apparent diameter of Venus, first from the 

 illuminated limbs, and afterwards from the one illuminated, and 

 from the other dark. This last always came out less than the 

 former." 



" 1841, April 22 and 23. — The same appearances as the day 

 before. The spot seemed enlarged in size." 



" 1841, April 30, 7h. 30m. in the evening.— The spot was very 

 black and very clear to be seen. It was surrounded by a lucid 

 ellipse, as the sides appear of a lunar crater seen obliquely. The 

 limit of the dark part of the disc, although it had encroached a 

 good deal into the interior of the spot, nevertheless did not yet 

 cover the above mentioned bank, which, with its luminous half, 

 appeared pretty well within the dark portion of the disc. Mag- 

 nifying power, 824. Towards the extremity of Venus at the 

 opposite horn, there began to be seen, first by Signor D. V. Mo- 

 bili, and afterwards likewise by the rest, something similar ; but 

 the evening being too far advanced, the observations were drop- 

 ped." 



11 1841, May 2.— Drawn by the curiosity of seeing the crater 

 of Venus, besides the accustomed observers, there came divers 

 others, who had the pleasure to be satisfied. At 43 minutes past 

 6 of the evening, the entire globe of Venus was distinctly seen; 

 and however the dark part appeared advanced, yet it did not cov- 

 er any portion of the illuminated edge which surrounded the spot. 

 Magnifying powers, 241 and 824." 



