ASTRONOMICAL SECTION 
OF THE 
Hoval Society of South Australia. 
THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 
Since presenting the last Annual Report this Society has 
endeavored to forward the object for which it was founded, viz., 
the encouragement of a popular interest in the science of 
astronomy. 
The roll of membership has kept up, and is (notwithstanding 
unavoidable removals) slightly over that of last year. 
During the past twelve months five general meetings have been 
held, and the Committee met six times for the transaction of 
business. 
In the early part of the session a new departure was made by 
the introduction of a question box, the contents of which have 
provoked discussion on a variety of subjects, as “The effects of 
the tides on the earth’s rotation,” ‘‘ Non-luminous bodies in space,” 
“The methods by which terrestrial gravity is ascertained,” “ The 
latest method for determinating difference in longitude,” ‘“ The 
refractor and reflector telescopes,” ‘“‘The best method of con- 
structing a planisphere,” “The motion of the stars in the line of 
sight as measured by the spectroscope,” ‘‘ Method of determining 
the right ascension and declination of stars,” ‘‘ On the changes of 
gravity at different altitudes,” ‘‘ The dividing powers of the re- 
fractor telescope,” ‘‘ The way of deducing the progressional motion 
of the perigree from the time of perihelion passage and the longi- 
tude as given in the Nautical Almanac,” ‘‘ Why the moon ap- 
pears larger on the horizon than when at its highest altitude,” 
and “* Why stars scintillate and the planets do not.” 
In November last Mr. J. W. H. Hullett gave a paper on the 
‘“‘ Determination of the Orbits of Comets and their Elements.” 
The astronomical notes have been published monthly and a 
copy sent to every member. 
Adopted at annual meeting held at Adelaide Observatory 24th 
September, 1895. 
C. Topp, President. 
W. E. Cueesman, Hon. Secretary. 
