The month has been exceptionally good for observing due to three weeks of clear, cold weather. To quote from the local Meteorological Report ‘The month was the sunniest January since observations were commenced in 1892. There were 138.1 hours of brights sunshine, this being 75 hours above the average.’ Our own record shows that 125 plates were secured on 18 nights with a total observing time of 176.3 hours. The eleven-year average for the month shows 78 plates on 10 nights with 60.8 hours observing.
Approximately 294 persons visited the observatory during the month.
Erratum in last report. In the second paragraph the eleven-year average should be 1259.4, not 1286.6 hours.
[The Victoria Daily Times had an editorial on the accomplishments of the Observatory as a “proud record for a young country”, Ed.]
Sat, Jan 25, 1930 – 4 · Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com
Director J. S. Plaskett measured 18 spectrograms for radial velocity. Outside of time required for administrative work and correspondence the month has been occupied in the preparation of a general catalogue of the radial velocities of O to B5 stars in collaboration with Mr. Pearce.
[Plaskett’s paper at the AAAS made the front page of the January 2, 1930 British Colonist, Later that month a story on Plaskett receiving the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society also made the front page. Ed.]
January 2, 1930 British Colonist
Jaunary 14, 1930 British Colonist
Assistant Director W. E. Harper worked 7 nights securing 65 plates. Measured 40 for radial velocity. Obtained period and determined orbit of Boss 613. Gave one seminar talk.
Astronomer J. A. Pearce observed 3 nights, obtaining 19 plates. Measured 15 plates for radial velocity. Gave 3 popular lectures in Victoria. Worked on catalogue of the radial velocities of O and B stars.
[Pearce gave a talk to the Kiwanis Club on the possibility of life on other planets, Ed.]
Tue, Jan 21, 1930 – 13 · Times Colonist (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com
Astronomer C. S. Beals observed 3 nights, obtaining 9 plates. Measured 6 plates for radial velocity. Gave lecture at University of British Columbia. Spent most of the month working at methods of photographic photometry.
Astronomer R. O. Redman finished calculations concerning solar motion and galactic rotation based on radial velocities of 188 K giant stars. Investigated mean parallaxes and spread on “main series” using recent work published by Russell. Compared with values obtained earlier. Worked 5 nights and obtained 32 plates.
Computer S. N. Hill measured and reduced 22 B type spectra of HD 185935. Computational work on period of star mentioned above, together with other computational and related work on B stars.
Clerk-Stenographer Miss L. M. Blake handled correspondence, accounts, reports, envelopes for spectra. Typing of various addresses and newspaper articles.
Astronomical Assistant T. T. Hutchison assisted in observing 12½ nights. Renewed control cable for guiding and kept telescope in general working order.