298 
The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. 
[Sept 
d 
h 
m. 
December — continued. 
16 
20 
46 
Mercury in conjunction with Venus 
Mercury 
1° 47' N. 
17 
14 
Mercury in perihelion. 
18 
7 
17 
Full Moon. 
19 
4 
Mercury in inferior conjunction with the Sun. 
19 
9 
Mercury in perigee. 
19 
13 
31 
Jupiter in conjunction with the Moon 
Jupiter 
2° 39' N. 
19 
18 
Jupiter in ascending node. 
21 
13 
35 
Neptune in conjunction with the Moon . . 
Neptune 
4° 29' N. 
23 
3 
30 
Saturn in conjunction with the Moon 
Saturn 
6° 54' N. 
23 
3 
42 
Sun enters sign >3 (Capricornus). Solstice. 
25 
18 
31 
Moon, last quarter. 
27 
14 #Moon in apogee. 
27 
21 
.’STL Mercury at greatest heliocentric latitude north. 
29 
lO^Lp[Mercury stationary. 
Nova Aquilae No. 3. 
Professor Edward C. Pickering, in the Harvard College Observatory 
Bulletin 661 , makes an appeal for observations of the brightness of Nova 
Aquilae. The bulletin and map are reprinted herewith. On the map the 
magnitudes of the stars are given. If observers will undertake this valuable 
work and send in their results to the Hector Observatory, Wellington, the 
information will be sent on to Professor Pickering. Estimates of magnitude 
of the new star may be made by naked eye or by means of field or opera 
glasses or telescopes. e Adams, 
Government Astronomer. 
HARVARD COLLEGE OBSERVATORY. 
Bulletin 661. 
The appearance of Nova Aquilae No. 3 enables any person, even without instru¬ 
ments or previous experience, to make observations of permanent value to astronomy. 
The only other very bright star during the last three centuries is Nova Persei No. 2. 
During the first five months of its appearance it underwent curious changes in 
brightness while it was still visible to the naked eye. Similar changes occurred in 
Geminorum No. 2. A discussion of these changes by Mr. Leon Campbell is given in 
H.A. 48, No. 2; H.A. 76, No. 9; and H.C. 204. These variations were sometimes rapid 
and irregular, and similar variations may be expected in Nova Aquilae. It is obviously 
desirable that this star should be watched continuously. Of the 157 observers of Nova 
Persei, almost all were in Europe and America, in longitudes between 1 h. east and 8h. 
west. When the Nova is below the horizon in these countries the various changes are 
unknown. It is important, therefore, that observers should be found in other longi¬ 
tudes to supply this want—for instance, in Brazil. Egypt, India, Japan, Australia, New 
Zealand, and the Sandwich Islands. Numerous observations are also needed in Europe 
and America, since clouds often cover a large part of the country. 
The observations needed are of the simplest kind. The accompanying map gives 
the vicinity of the Nova. The bright star in the lower right-hand corner is a Aquilae, or 
Altair, which is nearly north soon after midnight. The numbers give the magnitude of 
each star, omitting the decimal point. The larger the number, the fainter the star. 
Thus the two stars nearest the Nova are magnitudes 5’0 and 5*7. If the Nova is 
slightly fainter than the lower star and much brighter than the upper one, it might be 
estimated as 5T or 5 - 2. It is only necessary to record the estimate and the time in 
hours and minutes, and send the results to Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, 
Mass., U.S.A. Edward C. Pickering, Director. 
Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A., June 14, 1918. 
[This notice and the map have been altered to suit the Southern Hemisphere.—C. E. A.] 
