THE AMATEUR IN ASTRONOMY. 



By W. F. DENNING, F.R.A.S. 

 {Continued from page 11.) 



In cases where affluent amateurs have not per- 

 sonally undertaken researches, they have provided 

 the opportunity for professional men, and America 

 furnishes some prominent examples, among which 

 we may instance the great observatories of Yerkes 

 and Lick. 



Of course, there are certain investigations which 

 are far more fittingly conducted at well-equipped 

 observatories. The determination of star positions 

 and a great universal work like that of the astro- 

 graphic catalogue are far beyond the capacities 

 of ordinary amateur effort. 



There is an idea that all the objects discoverable 

 by small telescopes are now known, and that the 

 great instruments recently erected must be left 

 to grapple with the miniature orbs remaining 

 unknown. This is only partly true. The brighter 

 minor planets have been found, the more prominent 

 double stars, variable stars, the brighter nebulae, 

 have all been detected and catalogued. But in 

 regard to certain other objects of an inconstant 

 character the case is entirely different. I refer to 

 solar phenomena, to new stars, to meteors and 

 aurorae. There are constantly recurring supplies 

 of these, easily observable, and often awaiting 

 detection by the acute and vigilant observer, be 

 he amateur or professional. 



On walking out into my garden a few nights ago, 

 to do a little observing work on a beautifully starlit 

 sky, I hesitated a moment in contemplation of the 

 vast conclave above ; and I could not help thinking 

 what a vast amount of useful observation there 

 remained still to be done by systematic effort. 

 Ordinary amateurs, with good telescopes and prac- 

 tised eyes, might accomplish it. Double stars 

 might be measured or new ones searched for, 

 Mars and Saturn examined and drawings made, 

 sweeps made for new nebulae or new comets, 

 the position of visible comets determined ; without 

 telescopic aid the light of variable stars might be 

 estimated, new variables looked for, the heavens 

 scrutinised for new stars, a watch maintained for 

 meteors, and their paths recorded. These form a 

 few items of the work suggested by the inviting 

 firmament : it has been inadequately performed 



in the past ; let it be more thoroughly effected in the 

 future. Let amateurs realise that their role is 

 still a most important one, and that splendid 

 work ever awaits able and well-directed effort. 



They should certainly not be discouraged by the 

 supposition that they are now too heavily handi- 

 capped to collect any valuable contributions to the 

 science. 



I have often thought that there is not a wide 

 difference between the amateur and the professional. 

 In some cases the distinction is certainly a very 

 trifling one. In one sense assuredly, men like 

 J. F. W. Herschel, R. A. Proctor, W. R. Dawes, and 

 C. Flammarion can hardly be regarded as merely 

 amateur astronomers, but it is obvious that in every 

 case the amateur studies the stars out of pure love 

 for the subject. He admires the wonderful pictures 

 the heavens afford, and marvels at the mysteries 

 involved. There is a sublimity and infinity about 

 astronomy which attract the intellectual mind 

 and induce a feeling of reverence and awe. The 

 peer and the plebeian alike are tempted to " lift 

 up their eyes on high," for there is often found 

 identity of feeling amid wide differences in social 

 status in the great brotherhood of humanity. 

 With regard to the professional, he ostensibly devotes 

 himself to the study, not exactly as a way to wealth, 

 but as a means of earning a livelihood. In very 

 many cases, however, this is not all. Many pro- 

 fessionals work at astronomy con amove. They have 

 selected it because they have a deep regard for it. 

 There must be really very few professional astro- 

 nomers but who feel an intense interest in their 

 subject, and whose labours are prompted by 

 inclination. Abundant evidence of this has been 

 afforded by them in recent years, for they have 

 performed heavy work of honorary character 

 quite outside their official duties. For instance, 

 the British Astronomical Association, which is 

 understood to provide encouragement for and useful 

 cooperation amongst tyros and amateurs, has been 

 assisted in most material degree by professional 

 men who, after their heavy routine work, have freely 

 devoted much time and attention to the assistance 

 of mere beginners in the science. 



THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



The registered additions to tlie Zoological Society's 

 Menagerie during tlie month of December were fifty-two in 

 number. Of these twenty-seven were acquired by presentation, 

 eighteen were received on deposit, three in exchange, and four 

 were born in the Gardens. The following, which are new to 



the Collection, may be specially mentioned : A Peter's 

 Dwarf-Mongoose (Hclogalc undulata), from Wangi, Tana- 

 land, E. Africa, deposited; and a Golden-eared Honey-eater 

 iPtilotis cltrysotis), from New Guinea, presented by Alfred 

 Ezra, F.Z.S. 



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