100 
SCIEOTIFIC SUMMARY. 
ASTKONOMY. 
New Planet — In the last summary it was stated that Mr. Pogson had 
detected a small planet, which he erroneously supposed to be a new one, but 
which was subsequently found to be Freia. This error, however, he has 
since made good by the discovery of one which is certainly and evidently 
new. It was first seen (at Madras) on May 2, and has received the name of 
Sappho, which was given to his former discovery. 
Transit of Venus of Dec. 6, 1882. — At the last meeting of the Astrono- 
mical Society, the Astronomer Eoyal examined in great detail the stations at 
w'hich it will be most advantageous to observe the above phenomenon, now 
more important than ever from the doubts lately thrown on the sun’s dis- 
tance. These two stations, in order that the distance required may be 
deduced with the greatest certainty, must be so situated that at one the 
planet will remain for the shortest space of time on the sun’s disc, and at the 
other the longest. For the former, the choice of stations is sufficiently ex- 
tensive, reaching along the sea-board of the United States of America, as far 
down as the Gulf of Mexico. At that part of the globe, however, at which 
the time of transit will be greatest, and where the planet will be seen on the 
disc of the sun for nearly six hours, the choice of stations is more restricted, 
the most advantageous spot being at 65 degrees south, and at seven hours of 
east longitude. Near this place is situated Sabrina Land (discovered in 
1839), and of which very little is known. Professor Airy proposes that a 
reconnaissance should be made of a point so important to the success of the 
expedition, and the following points determined : — (1) Whether the coast is 
accessible on Dec. 6. (2) Whether a latitude of 65 degrees can be reached. 
(3) Whether the sun can be well seen at that time of the year at three hours 
on each side of the lower meridian. Should the answers be unfavourable, it 
will then be advisable to examine other stations not very far different from 
five hours west longitude, with the highest possible south latitude. 
Sun-spot Period. — Professor Wolf in addition to the well-known period 
of 11,2 years for the maxima and minima of the solar spots, has found 
from the records of those and Aurorse, that a more marked period occurs at 
every fifth of those epochs, and which had its last maximum in 1836. Mr. 
Carringdon suspects that there may be some connexion between the distance 
of Jupiter from the Sun and the development of the spots, so that when 
that planet is farthest, there are more spots. Mr. Balfour Stewart has re- 
cently applied the same theory to those times at which both J upiter and 
Saturn are at their shortest distances and in the same line, when he thinks 
that there should be a remarkable development of spots. He finds that 
