Very cloudy, rainy weather was the rule and only 32 spectrograms were obtained on 6 nights
Director J. S. Plaskett obtained 7 spectrograms on 1 night and measured 40 spectrograms for radial velocity. Measured 6 ultraviolet spectrograms for wave lengths of emission bands in Wolf Rayet stars. Tested Ross and Moffitt lenses for field. General administrative work until December 18 when an accident confined him to bed.
[J. A. Pearce in an article “Some Recollections of the Observatory“, published in 1968, described an accident which befell Plaskett. I suspect this is the accident Plaskett mentions in this report, Plaskett was observing on the night of December 18, 1922, “when his eyeglasses bridged across the 220-volt comparison switch, knocking him off the short ladder to the steel observing floor. I believe he was alone at the time.” And that was 200 volts DC!, Ed.]
Research Astronomer W. E. Harper obtained 3 spectrograms on parts of 2 nights and measured 5 spectrograms for radial velocity. Determined the orbit of Φ Aquilae and wrote up the article for our publications. Most of his time as devoted to absolute magnitude work, looking over probably 600-800 spectrograms, measuring some new lines and checking others. Performed a few minor administrative duties for the last two weeks of the month.
Astronomer R. K. Young obtained 17 spectrograms on 2 nights. All time was spent in measuring F- and G-type stars for absolute magnitude with special reference to new line discovered showing the absolute magnitude effect. Examined about 1000 plates.
[Young gave a talk on the eclipse expedition in which he participated to a meeting of the Victoria Centre of the RASC, Ed.]
Assistant Astronomer H. H. Plaskett obtained 5 spectrograms on parts of 2 nights. Prepared and gave a talk before the Gyro Club on “The Work and Needs of the Observatory” Recomputed the temperature of the carbon arc with revised wedge constants. Set up apparatus for determination of color temperature of a calibrated image, [Interesting use of the American spelling of ‘color’, Ed.]
[H.H. Plaskett spoke in place of his father at the Christ Church Cathedral, Ed.]
[An article in the December 19, 1922 Daily Colonist covered Plaskett’s talk to the Gyro Club. The Club received its Charter that year and he luncheon meetings in the Empress Hotel. In his remarks H. H. Plaskett made “an appeal for support in endeavours to have the Dominion Government complete the buildings and equipment of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory … in accordance with the original plans.” The plans for the observatory had been curtailed during WW I. J. S. Plaskett was enlisting the aid of various groups in Victoria to get the federal government complete the project, e.g. an office building., Ed.]
Clerk-Stenographer Miss H. R. Keay did the usual work on plates, correspondence and accounts. Proof read Volume II, Numbers 5 and 6, and the Index for Volume I. Typed and prepared for the printer Volume II, Numbers 7 and 8. Made out first five hours of new observing program. Filed lantern slides
Instrument Maker Foreman T. T. Hutchison assisted in observing on 4 nights. Performed the necessary adjustments and repairs to the telescope and worked on setting up the apparatus for determination of color temperatures and made some alterations to a measuring instrument.