The observing weather for the month, while not the equal of the preceding month, was just about the average for August. On 22 nights a total of 187 spectrograms were secured as compared with the average for the past six years of 183 on 22 nights also.
[A full-page article on the Observatory appeared in the August 15th Victoria Daily Times, Ed.]
Sat, Aug 15, 1925 – 21 · Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com
Director J. S. Plaskett returned from Europe on August 29th
[Plaskett’s imminent return from Europe was noted in the Victoria Daily Times, Ed.]
Fri, Aug 28, 1925 – 14 · Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com
[Plaskett arrived in Quebec City on August 14th, 1925. He had sailed from Glasgow on the SS Marburn with his wife in cabin class. He identified his race as “English”, even though he was born in Canada, Ed.]
Assistant Director W. E. Harper observed on 5 nights securing 56 spectra. Measured 37 spectrograms for radial velocity. Determined the orbit of HR 7267 and wrote up same for publication. Handled administrative duties in absence of Director.
Research Astronomer H. H. Plaskett [Note the promotion from Astronomer, Ed.] Worked on 3 nights obtaining 13 spectra, including 3 long exposures of Vega. Day work has been devoted to an evolution of the errors produced by the use of a non-achromatic cylindrical lens in spectrophotometry, and the computation of a new lens to eliminate some of these errors. Some work has also been done on the optimum declination to give the minimum dispersion of right angles to the slit for large hour angles.
Assistant Astronomer J. A. Pearce observed on 6 nights obtaining 51 and measured 28 spectrograms for radial velocity. Weekly clock corrections. Prepared a manuscript for the 1925 Observer’s Handbook. Computed the photographic extinction table for Victoria, BC.
Astronomical Computer S. N. Hill measured and reduced 50 B-type spectrograms for radial velocity. On leave 1 day.
Engineering Clerk W. H. Christie (temporary) observed on 8 nights, obtaining 67 spectrograms. Measured and reduced for radial velocity 30 plates. Worked on the period of HR 5752. Computed and wrote up his work on the orbit of HR 650-6. Worked on 12 Lacertae.
Junior Engineering Clerk R. M. Petrie reported on Aug. 17. Measured 13 plates to determine radial velocity and worked on the period of σ2 Coronae Borealis.
Senior Clerk Typist Miss H. R. Keay handled the usual plates, correspondence, reports and accounts. Typed the orbit of HR 6506 for Mr Christie. Read the proof of Volume III, Number 7 and the new mailing list. She typed copies of 450 names on mailing list for use of the staff here.
Instrument Maker Foreman T. T. Hutchison assisted in observing on 7 nights. Repaired the shutter cable with minor adjustments of shutters on the dome. On leave from the 17th.