Abstract
WHEN the 26-inch equatorial, with an object-glass “nearly perfect in figure,” was mounted at the United States Naval Observatory, Washington, it was resolved that its great powers should be first devoted to systematic observations of the satellites of the exterior planets, with the view not only to the better determination of the elements of their orbits, but, more especially, of the masses of their primaries; previous attempts in this direction, from the great difficulties attending observations, having led to very discordant values. Accordingly all the minor arrangements of the instrument were completed with this particular object in view, and no other regular work of dissimilar character was attempted while the satellite-observations were in progress.
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Newcomb on the Uranian and Neptunian Systems . Nature 12, 515–516 (1875). https://doi.org/10.1038/012515b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/012515b0