Continued poor observing weather was the rule, only two full nights being secured. On a total o 5 nights with total observing time of 34.3 hours, 29 plates were secured. The nine-year average for the month shows 10 nights, 60.0 hours and 80 plates. Approximately 428 persons visited the observatory during the month.

[Harry Hemley Plaskett left Victoria this month for a position at Harvard University, Ed.]

Sat, Jan 14, 1928 – 2 · Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Director J. S. Plaskett had no clear weather on my nights. Computed a new orbit for BD 56° 2617 and finally prepared manuscript of this star and the two mentioned last month for publication. Prepared talk on statistics of eclipsing binaries for seminar. Handled the usual correspondence and administrative work.

Assistant Director W. E. Harper observed on 3 nights, securing 18 plates and measured for radial velocity 33. Testing out microphotometer on hydrogen absorption lines. Gave one staff talk on “Space Distribution of Stars in Cygnus”

Research Astronomer H. H. Plaskett made some experimental spectra on line intensities and worked remainder of time until January 14th on the preparation of Manuscript of Z Andromedae for printing.

[H.H. Plaskett was leaving for Harvard and there was a farewell tea for his wife, Alice, Ed.]

Wed, Jan 4, 1928 – 8 · Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Astronomer J. A. Pearce observed 1 night securing 19 plates. Measured and reduced for radial velocity 38 plates. Worked on orbit of HD 209481. Gave 1 staff talk on “The Variable Rotation of the Earth”. Gave 1 lecture at Tacoma, Wash. on “Facts and Fancies of the Naked-eye Stars.”

Astronomer C. S. Beals observed four hours one night securing 2 plates. Studied the structure of the bands λ3371 and λ3376 observed in the silver arc spectrum.

Astronomical Computer S. N. Hill spent time preparing list of B-type stars to be used in publication. Computing proper motion. Forming and solving normal equations of 6 unknowns from 20 observation equations. Work in connection with the library.

Senior Clerk-Stenographer Miss L. M. Blake typed and prepared for printing MSS of Volume IV, Numbers 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9; Proof-read Volume IV, Number 4; usual correspondence, accounts, plates and library assistance.

Former summer-assistance R. M. Petrie worked 5 days in Dec and 5 days in January. Finished orbit of HR 6979 and wrote up for publication. Also prepared for publication the radial velocities of 50 stars, after measuring 6 plates for radial velocity.

Former summer-assistant Dr. H. Zanstra measured nebular spectra, secured in the summer, on the spectrophotometer. Worked 5 days in Dec. and 6 days in January.

Instrument Maker Foreman T. T. Hutchison assisted on observing on 4 nights. Kept telescope in running order, cleaned measuring machines.