and positions of4>58 double and triple stars ^ &c. 53 



No. CCCCXLVI. R. A. 4^ 7" ; Decl. 7° 65' S. 



40, Eridani ; Struve, 116 ; 



Double ; 6th and 10th magnitudes ; small, blue. 



Passy ; December 10, 1824 ; Seven-feet Equatorial. 



Position = 180 x8' ./I 7 Obs. I DifF. = i° i6' ? E^.^ssively difficult. 

 Distance =: i' 24". 697 ± ; Single measure 3 ^ 



No satisfactory measures of distance can be procured ; the deposition of mois- 

 ture upon the object-glass is so considerable, notwithstanding a tube* twelve inches 

 long is adapted to the object-end of the telescope, that I am obliged to wipe it 

 every few minutes. The stars, even those of low altitude, are unusually steady : 

 were it not for the annoyance of the dew, stars presenting almost any degree of 

 difficulty might be well observed to night. Thermometer stands at 24°. The 

 instrument is covered with hoar frost. 



Passy ; December 22, 1824 ; Seven-feet Equatorial. 

 5th, and 9th or 10th magnitudes. 



Position = 17° 34' */ 

 Distances i' 24". 178 



5 Obs. 



5^5 = °?, 3?; I On the meridian. 



5 Obs. I DiflF. = I ".082 



Measures extremely difficult. Stars so remarkably steady, that they may be kept 

 bisected by the wire almost as long as I please. The wind is blowing a perfect 

 hurricane ; and fearing that a perseverance in observing, may occasion the destruc- 

 tion of the observatory, I am obliged, although reluctantly, to discontinue working. 

 Scarcely ever do I remember to have seen such opportunities for making delicate 

 observations, as the chasms between transient clouds have presented this evening. 



Passy ; December 23, 1824 ; Seven-feet Equatorial. 

 6th and 10th magnitudes. 

 Position — 17° 45' */. Single observation. Excessively difficult. 

 The night suddenly has become bad ; the small star is no longer visible. 



Passy ; January 28, 1825 ; Seven-feet Equatorial. 

 6th and 10th magnitudes. 



Position =: 17° 56' 5/ 

 Distance = i'' 25". 279 



D^:^ll%]^^''''^'^y^^^'''^'' 



5 Obs. 

 5 Obs. 



Mean Result. 



Position 17° 58' 5/ ( 18 Obs.) ; Epoch 1824.99 ; 

 Distance 1' 24".726 (11 Obs.) ; Epoch 1825.00. 



* The tube first employed for this purpose was made of pasteboard : the dew 

 however was frequently so copious that its figure became deranged, and it could 

 with difficulty be re-applied to the object-end of the telescope. Under these cir- 

 cumstances, the veneered deal of which the English hat-box is constructed, aflForded 

 a material not liable to this inconvenience — its pliability rendered it easy to add 

 one cylinder to another, so as to form a tube of any desired length, its weight at the 

 same time very slightly disturbing the equilibrium of the telescope. 



