for the year 1879, xv 



certain day. This was faithfully done at our Observatory, 

 but without success. 



An unusually close conjunction of the planets Saturn 

 and Mars took place on the morning of the 1st July 

 last, and the weather being fine and sky perfectly clear, 

 very satisfactory observations of the occurrence were 

 obtained. A capital opportunity of testing the accuracy 

 of the planetary tables, as regards the two bodies con- 

 cerned, was afforded by so near an approach, and at the 

 same time the presence of both planets in one telescopic 

 field enabled observers to compare the physical appearances 

 and especially the colours of the two planets with ease and 

 certainty. The contrast of colour observed was remarkable, 

 and certainly greater than would be expected by one who 

 had been accustomed to observe them separately ; Saturn 

 appeared of a greenish yellow colour, while the orange tinge 

 of Mars was ruddier than usual. In the course of the even- 

 ing, I hope to be able to show you by a projection on the 

 screen a fair representation of the telescopic picture pre- 

 sented to an observer on this occasion. 



The large number of drawings, and the great amount of 

 information relative to the southern nebulae now collected 

 from observations with the great Melbourne telescope, are 

 still unpublished ; but I am glad to say that, after numerous 

 fruitless trials and disappointments, a portion of the draw- 

 ings have at last been successfully printed by the litho- 

 graphic artists of the Mining Department, and these will 

 shortly be published with descriptive letterpress. 



The great telescope itself continues to perform satisfac- 

 torily whenever the atmospheric conditions are good, and it 

 is kept steadily engaged in its special fields of research. It 

 is probable, however, that during a portion of the coming 

 summer it will be devoted to photographic work, principally 

 in connection with the moon. 



The progress of astronomical science generally during the 

 period under review is not marked by anything of unusual 

 interest. 



Astronomers are already beginning to prepare for the 



A 2 



