APPENDIX 5. 



liEPORT ON THE ASTROPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY. 



Sir : The Astrophysica] Observatory was conducted under the fol- 

 lowing passage of the sundry civil act approved July 1, 1918 : 



Astropliysical Observatory : For inaiiitenance of Astropliysical Observatory, 

 under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution, including assistants, pur- 

 chase of necessary boolis and periodicals, apparatus, making necessary obser- 

 vations in high altitudes, repairs and alterations of buildings, and miscel- 

 laneous expenses, $13,000. 



The observatory occupies a number of frame structures within an 

 inclosure of about 16,000 square feet south of the Smithsonian ad- 

 ministration building at Washington, and also a cement observing 

 station and frame cottage for observers on a plot of 10,000 square 

 feet leased from the Carnegie Solar Observatory, on Mount Wilson, 

 Calif. 



The present value of the buildings and equipment is estimated at 

 $50,000. This estimate contemplates the cost required to replace the 

 outfit for the purpose of the investigations. 



WORK OF THE YEAR. 



At Washington. — As usual, the computation of the results of solar 

 constant observations made at Mount Wilson, Calif., has gone on 

 steadily at Washington, except as interrupted by the furlough of 

 the computer. Miss Graves, for work in France, as mentioned under 

 the subheading " Personnel." After the services of other computers 

 had been obtained the work went on rapidly and is now nearly up 

 to date. 



The preparation of Volume IV of the Annals of the Astrophysical 

 Observatory, including results of measurements from the year 1913, 

 has been occupying the attention of the director to a very great 

 extent since February. 



In consideration of the fact that the total eclipse of the sun of 

 May 29, 1919, was visible in La Paz, Bolivia, which is not very far 

 from the Smithsonian solar-constant observing station in Calama. 

 Chile, and in further consideration of the fact that the Argentine 

 Government is using the daily telegraphic reports of the solar obser- 

 vations at Calama for forecasting purposes; and, further, that cer- 

 tain conditions had arisen at Calama which would seem to require 

 the personal investigation of the writer, it appeared necessary to 

 make an expedition to South America to attend to these several 

 82 



