Plaskett Report for June 1931


Unusually wet weather for the month militated against observation and the month was much below the average in that respect. On 16 nights with 71 hours observing 67 plates were secured as against a twelve-year average for the month of 19 nights 89.9 hours and 108 plates

Approximately 3522 persons visited the observatory during the month

Director J.S. Plaskett – The director was absent until the 25th during which time he visited the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, spent three days at the Lowell Observatory and eleven days in Pasadena at the Mt. Wilson Observatory and at the meetings of the AAAS. Correspondence, etc. on his return.

[Plaskett’s return to the city was noted in the Victoria Daily Times, Ed.]
Fri, Jun 26, 1931 – 1 · The Victoria Daily Times (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Assistant Director W.E. Harper observed on 10 nights securing 45 plates. Measured 50 for radial velocity. Made computations for comparator standards for new dispersion. Correspondence and administrative duties in absence of director.

[Harper gave a talk to the Canadian Manufacturers’ Association, Ed.]

Tue, Jun 2, 1931 – 20 · The Victoria Daily Times (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Astronomer J.A. Pearce was on sick leave

Astronomer C.S. Beals observed 2 nights obtaining 4 plates, Spent some time in further tests of photoelectric microphotometer. Attended AAAS meeting in Pasadena and presented a paper entitled “The Contours of Emission Bands in Novae and Wolf Rayet Stars”. Visited Mt. Wilson and Lick Observatories.

Beals’ work on Wolf Rayet stars was reported in the Victoria Daily Times, Ed.]

Thu, Jun 4, 1931 – 1 · The Victoria Daily Times (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Computer S.N. Hill prepared list of 313 B-type stars in order of galactic longitude and computing distances. Dr. in parsecs determined from galactic rotation. Computing direction cosines of each star. Work on proper motion Ursa Major group and application of Raymond’s revised e correction in declination.

Clerk-Stenographer Miss L.M. Blake handled correspondence, accounts, envelopes for plates, library work and typing of articles for publication. Proof reading.

Astronomical Assistant T.T. Hutchison observed 2 nights alone securing 11 plates and assisted in observing 7½ other nights. Kept telescope in working order.

Astronomer H.H. Plaskett reported for duty on 29th. Discussed programme of observations.

Astronomical Assistant A. McKellar reported for duty 16th. Observed 1 night obtaining 5 plates, Measured and reduced 40 plates for radial velocity.