Notes

Abstract

WE are in a position to state that the arrangements of the Eclipse Expedition are rapidly progressing,—thanks to the untiring labours of the strong Organising Committee, which meets almost daily. As we stated before, the Government are bringing all their power to bear in favour of the work, and, should the weather be favourable, we may expect such a series of observations as has never been made of an eclipsed sun. As at present arranged, there will be four parties. Beginning with Spain, we have one to Cadiz, in charge of the Rev. S. J. Perry, and one to Gibraltar, under Captain Noble. The English branch of the Anglo-American Expedition will be under the charge of Mr. Lockyer; while there will be a fourth small expedition, under the charge of Mr. Hnggins, to Oran; the Cadiz, Gibraltar, and Oran parties will leave Portsmouth on the 5th of December in the Urgent. The Sicilian party will leave London on the night of the 7th by the Brenner pass, a ship of war meeting them at Naples. Although not a single official astronomer has volunteered to go, there will be lack of neither skill, discipline, nor organisation; and arrangements are already being made which will ensure a full and early publication by the Organising Committee of the scientific results obtained. Printed instructions are being prepared by the Committee for each class of observations. So much for the English Government Expedition. With regard to the American one, we may add that it has been no less strongly and carefully organised, with the distinct advantages that astronomy is more cultivated in America than it is here, that the official observatories are fully represented, and that as all the observers were present at the Eclipse in 1869, they therefore may be regarded as veterans. Professors Young, Pickering, Newcomb, Peters, Watson, Harkness, and others are at present in London, and are daily affording most valuable information to the Organising Committee and the various observers.