NOVEMBER 12, 1897.] 
son and Stratton, of the applications of the 
interference refractometer and of the effect 
of a magnet upon radiation recently dis- 
covered by Zeeman. Professor Michelson 
also exhibited a harmonic analyzer, which 
may, perhaps, find application to certain 
pending problems of astronomy. The visit- 
ing scientists were entertained at luncheon 
by the President of the University and Mrs. 
Harper, and at 3 p. m. an address on 
“Aspects of American Astronomy’ was de- 
livered by Professor Simon Newcomb. 
Finally the liberal hospitality of Mr. Yerkes 
provided a banquet in the evening for the 
visiting scientists. 
The work of the Yerkes Observatory has 
thus been formally inaugurated. The aims 
of the institution as expressed by the 
President cannot fail to meet the approval 
of all friends of science : 
“Tt is proper that a word should be said 
on behalf of the Faculty with respect to the 
policy which shall control the University in 
the use it shall make of the Observatory. 
The founder has indicated his desire in 
definite form that the Observatory shall not 
be used for popular purposes. Situated as 
it is, in close proximity to a village of large 
size, and within a short distance of so great 
a city as Chicago, it would be compara- 
tively easy for the astronomers to occupy 
their entire time in exhibiting the instru- 
ments to the public. For the present it is 
the desire of the donor and the decision of 
the Trustees that the Observatory shall not 
be open to the public. 
“Tn every department of science there is 
opportunity to-day for the development of 
what might be called the sensational. In 
no subject is this possibility greater than in 
that of astronomy. The work of not a few 
observatories and of not a few astronomers 
has been seriously injured by the desire to 
do and say that which will attract public 
attention. The Yerkes Observatory will 
strenuously oppose every tendency of this 
SCLENCE. 
723 
character, and will make every effort to 
represent only that kind of work which is 
of solid and substantial character. 
“*So much for the negative side. As to 
the positive policy of the Observatory, I 
quote from a statement of the Director: 
‘The policy of the Yerkes Observatory will 
be: (1) To derive the greatest possible re- 
turn from the use of the large telescope it 
is evident that special attention should be 
given to (a) micrometrical observations of 
stars, satellites, comets, nebulee, etc.; (0) 
solar investigations, both visual and photo- 
graphic ; and (¢) spectroscopic researches 
on the chemical composition of the stars 
and their motion toward or from the earth. 
The present staff is sufficient to permit 
much of this work to be taken up to ad- 
vantage. Another astronomer will be 
needed to develop the spectroscopic work, 
which is, probably, the most important 
work the Observatory can undertake, on 
account of its great light-gathering power. 
“«(2) To provide for the investigation 
of any phase of an astronomical or related 
physical problem. Most American obsery- 
atories are unprovided with the instru- 
ments and laboratories necessary for the 
interpretation of the phenomena constantly 
encountered in spectroscopic observations 
of the heavenly bodies. Spectroscopic 
laboratories, on the other hand, are not 
equipped to carry their investigations be- 
yond the artificial boundaries of physics 
into the realm of astronomy. It is hoped 
that the Yerkes Observatory may ulti- 
mately be in a position to represent both 
the astronomical and the physical sides of 
astrophysical work, and at the same time 
provide the best facilities for research work 
in astronomy of position.’ ”’ 
The present staff of the Observatory con- 
sists of Professor George E. Hale, Director; 
Professors 8. W. Burnham, EH. E. Barnard, 
F. L. O. Wadsworth; Mr. F. Ellerman, 
Assistant ; Mr. G. W. Ritchey, Optician. 
