93 



appears not to be the intention, at present, to erect such an Observa- 

 tory in the United States, and details in regard to it are therefore 

 unnecessary. 



But smaller Observatories may also be useful to science, especially 

 for geographical purposes. Such a one, for example, as would be 

 furnished by a room with a solid foundation, connected with a second 

 having a free horizon. The first to have cuts north and south and 

 east and west, the second to have a turning dome. The following 

 named instruments would be suitable for such an Observatory. 



1. A meridian circle with a 42 inch telescope and 



20 inch circle, - - - 1,000 Rix Dolls. 



2. A telescope of 72 inches focal length, - 900 „ 



3. An astronomical clock, - - 400 „ 



4. A chronometer, - - - 500 „ 



5. Small transit instrument, - - 350 „ 



6. Small telescopes, barometers, thermometers, 



&c, a theodolite, &c. - - 750 „ 



3,900 „ 

 or about $3,000. 



A small Observatory would thus be furnished for about three 

 thousand dollars. 



Determinations of the places of stars and planets, and even of the 

 asteroids may be made with the circle as far as the power of the 

 telescope permits. Director Hansen, at Seeberg, and Professor 

 Schwerdt, at Spire, have made excellent observations with a similar 

 instrument. Observations of moon culminating stars for longitude 

 may be also made with it. 



Observations of more difficult objects, except perhaps the nearest 

 double stars, of comets, for the exterior of the planets, &c, may be 

 made with the larger telescope. 



The small transit instrument, placed east and west, will give the 

 latitude within limits depending upon the accuracy to which the 

 declinations of the stars is determined, and in conjunction with the 

 chronometer, will serve to determine the geographical positions of 

 places which may be selected. For longitude, observations are made 

 of the moon culminating stars, which are observed at the same time 

 with the meridian circle. For latitude the transit is placed east and 

 west. 



The Altona Observatory may serve as a model of such a small 



