The Evening Telegraph

THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.

Extensive Preparations for Its Observation in Germany.

Dr. Drechsler, of Dresden, recently delivered a lecture in that city on the preparations in Germany for the observation of the transit of Venus in 1874. He said that the North German Government selected last year a commission of astronomers to take preparatory steps, and to report an estimate of the cost of the undertaking. This commission consisted of the astronomers Hansen, of Gotha; Argelander, of Bonn; Paschen, of Schwerin; Bruhns, of Leipsic; Forster, of Berlin; Anwers, of Gotha; and Winnecke, in Carlsruhe. The commission held five sittings in Berlin, from the 25th to the 29th of October last, under the presidency of Professor Hansen. The director of the St. Petersburg Observatory, Professor Struve, was invited to attend the discussions, in order to come to an understanding about the place of observation to be chosen by Russia; as well as Professor Dove for the discussion of meteorological relations, and Professor Zollner in reference to spectroscopic observations. Four places are proposed for observing the transit, two of which are upon the northern and two upon the southern hemisphere, and each as far removed in longitude as possible for correct observation. The first-named are in the neighborhood of the east coast of Asia, in or near Japan; the latter upon the islands between the Cape of Good Hope and New Zealand. As regards the methods of observation the following were proposed: 1, heliometrical measurements; 2, determination of the ingress and egress; 3, photographic and spectroscopic surveys. It is also proposed that the expeditions shall be used for further astronomical researches, for photographic, magnetic, meteorological and pendulum observations, as well as for scientific purposes in general. Each expedition will consist of two astronomers, two technical assistants, a photographer, and a servant. The following instruments were adduced as requisite for the observations: Heliometer, instruments for meteorological observations, spectroscopic and photographic apparatus. The commission elected the astronomers Anwers, Bruhns, Forster, and Winnecke to make out an estimate of the costs of the expeditions. They have since handed in their report to the Government. The costs, taking into account the fact that a portion of the instruments will be borrowed, fall into three rubrics: 1. Costs of the astronomical outfit; 2. Personal costs; 3. Costs of transportation. If the North German marine undertake the transportation and protection, the cost of the four expeditions will be about fifty-eight thousand thalers; but if the vessels for transportation have to be hired, the cost will be one hundred and nineteen thousand thalers. It is also brought into account that a great portion of the costs will serve for the observation of the transit to occur in 1882. Both opportunities must be used, since the next following transit of Venus does not take place until the year 2004. It is expected that the Reichstag will grant the funds necessary for the undertaking, as much for the honor of Germany as for the advancement of science.