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thus: Pi = Trojan Group, p2 = Hecuba Group, etc.; v for variable, 
/ for libration, e for eccentricity, i for inclination, etc. The magnitude 
at unit distance might also be given. An investigator could thus pick 
out at a glance the asteroids of particular interest in his line of research. 
After each asteroid has been properly classified and designated, cards 
should be completed in order of importance. This work should all be 
done under the auspices of the International Committee, provided such 
a committee adopts some plan as outlined here. 
Ephemerides . — An international convention will have to be held for 
providing observations and preliminary orbit determinations for newly 
discovered planets and for carrying forward the computations. It would 
seem wise at this time for the international committee to canvas the differ- 
ent countries as to the share of burden each can imdertake. At the out- 
set probably different countries in the Union would care for the asteroids 
discovered in their own coimtry, without attempting a complete duplica- 
tion of the work now in progress at Berlin. In this connection, the names 
of the observatories and astronomers who have undertaken to secure the 
necessary and sufficient observations in the case of each planet and to 
carry forward the computation should be published. 
It is very essential that an imderstanding be reached to secure the 
necessary and sufficient observations of a newly discovered object to 
secure a satisfactory orbit sufiicient to locate the body of the next oppo- 
sition and to avoid all unnecessary observations and computations. 
After the International Committee has adopted definite plans in re- 
gard to the foregoing points national observatories and almanac offices 
will no doubt be in a position to care for such ephemerides as involve 
routine computation only. The whole work, however, should be organized 
under the auspices of the International Committee. 
As there may be differences of opinion no definite plans are proposed 
until the different countries are able to state what assistance they can 
render. 
It is desired that monographs be published for the benefit of various 
groups of research men by persons invited to undertake this task by the 
committee, or by volunteers. 
Recommendations. — In particular, the Committee makes the following 
recommendations : 
1. That the Executive Board of the National Research Council be 
requested to secure funds for the preparation of a history and bibliography 
of comets and asteroids, with the understanding that this work will be 
undertaken by the United States. 
2. That the International Astronomical Union appoint an International 
Committee on Comets and Asteroids. 
3. That the American Delegation to the International Astronomical 
Union submit to the International Committee the proposals of the Amer- 
ican Committee on Comets and Asteroids for their approval. 
