Abstract
MAY I ask for a few lines in which to correct an erroneous impression naturally made by a sentence in my recent paper on “Ten Years' Progress in Astronomy,” which you have honoured me by reprinting in NATURE. The sentence relates to the longitude of Rio; and although it does not really assert that the error in this longitude was first detected and corrected by our American naval officers, yet I must frankly admit that the connection and form of expression are such that this would be the natural, though incorrect, inference. The fact is that Admiral Mouchez and his coadjutors in the French Navy had already, by their chronometric and other work, brought the uncertainty to very narrow limits (say ± 2s.) before the telegraphic campaign of the Americans. The history of the case is peculiar, but too long to be given here: it affords an excellent example of the uncertainty of longitudes based on lunar observations.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
YOUNG, C. The Longitude of Rio. Nature 35, 172 (1886). https://doi.org/10.1038/035172a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/035172a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.