1830/] 
by a series of Lunar Transits . 
153 
my then assuming that the longitude was very nearly 5 h 31 m 40 9 , which I accordingly 
adopted in the lunar transit calculations The present results, however, again throw 
uncertainty upon the matter, as a difference of 17 seconds, upon the average, is too 
great to he attributed to mere irregularities. 
If, however, we imagine Reuben Burrow’s Longitude of Calcutta to h in s. 
be correct ; namely, 5 53 34 
and deduct thence the lunar meridl. difference, as found from the obs. viz. 21 46.6 
we find the longitude approach much nearer the Satellite result, viz. 5 31 47.4 
In this case there should be an error in the Nautical Almanack right ascension of 
the moon of 5 S 5 , or about one third of a second in excess ; a point which I am un- 
able to determine, for want of access to the Greenwich observations of 1827. 
Leaving, however, the final adjustment of the absolute longitude until we possess 
more ample data, I think enough has been said to prove, that whoever possesses a 
transit instrument may turn it to the greatest advantage, by taking every oppor- 
tunity of registering the passages of the moon. For small differences of meridian, 
they afford comparative results, almost independent of the errors of the Lunar Ta- 
bles : but to obviate this last source of inaccuracy, as we are at such a distance 
from the regular observatories of Europe, I take the liberty of suggesting, that any 
of your readers who may be engaged in astronomical observations of this or any 
other nature, would confer a general benefit, by publishing, occasionally, in the 
Gleanings, the results of his otherwise fruitless labours. In the archives of the 
Surveyor Gener/Vl’s Office, I suspect, from the specimen with which I have been 
favored, there must be much valuable information in astronomical science collected 
since 1827, and I hope that the present work may be allowed the honor of rescuing 
it ere the season of harvest has passed by. 
I have omitted to mention in the course of the above note, that the longitude of 
my observatory at Benares, according to the late Trigonometrical Survey, was found 
83° 1/ 47".5, or in time 5 h 32 m 07 8 . 1 , which is even in excess of any of the above re- 
sults. When the triangulation shall have reached Calcutta, a good opportunity will 
be afforded of reconciling all that at present admits of no satisfactory decision in the 
geographical position of the Holy City. P* 
TABLE I. 
Observations of the Moon’s Transit. 
At Benares. 
At Calcutta, 
Mer. Trans, of 
Mer. Trans, of f 
Date. 
bright limb in 
S 
Remarks. 
bright limb in 
a 
Remarks. 
Ben. mean time. 
• p* 
Cal. appt. time. 
33 
1827. 
h. m. s. 
li. m. s. 
June 1 
5 00 20.6 
1 
doubtful. 
« • • • « • 
4 
7 19 12.7 
1 
good. 
5 
8 09 33.6 
1 
ditto. 
• « « « « • 
6 
9 03 21.1 
1 
ditto. 
9 04 18.32 
1 
8 
11 02 15.0 
1 
ditto. 
• • • • • • 
9 
12 05 40 0 
1 
ditto. 
• • i • • • 
12 08 09.1 
2 
12 08 25.61 
2 
30 
13 11 36.6 
2 
IS 
16 04 51.3 
2 
(3d wire.) 
17 
19 14 50.0 
2 
bad. 
• * • • • • 
Oct. 23 
2 10 05.5 
1 
very good. 
25 
4 10 09.7 
1 
3 wires. 
4 24 59.29 
1 
27 
6 02 30.7 
1 
moderate. 
6 17 37.44 
1 
28 
6 55 23.4 
I 
good. 
7 10 38.22 
1 
30 
8 34 50.5 
1 
good. 
8 50 16 93 
1 
Nov. 1 
10 10 08.6 
1 
good. 
10 25 43.05 
1 
2 
10 57 46.0 
1 
3 wires. 
11 13 18.48 
1 
3 
11 45 48.2 
1 
1st limb under 
11 47 57.1 
2 
eclipse. 
12 03 19.10 
2 
24 
4 51 27.0 
1 
good. 
5 03 52.36 
1 
25 
5 43 30.7 
1 
mod. 
5 55 40.00 
1 
Dec. 1 
10 29 18.8 
1 
good. 
10 39 15.27 
1 
2 
11 37 34.2 
1 
mod. 
11 27 15.16 
1 
. 3 
12 06 04.5 
1 
very careful 
12 08 14.6 
2 
H 15 22.91 
2 
10 
17 28 37.7 
2 
very good. 
11 
18 13 13.5 
2 
good. 
18 19 00.24 
2 
12 
18 59 25.9 
2 
ditto. 1 
19 04 42.08 
2 
13 
19 48 10.2 
2 
ditto, | 
19 52 53.80 
2 
