Plaskett Report for May 1930


The weather was not the best for observing during the month, although it was about up to the average. On 20 nights with 108.5 hours observing time 66 plates were secured. The eleven-year average shows 22 nights, 108.2 hours and 130 plates

Director J.S. Plaskett on leave

Acting Director W.E. Harper worked 8 nights securing 33 spectra. Measured for radial velocity 19 plates. Tested for period of secondary oscillations in Boss 310 but not finding such incorporated 1929 and 1930 observations with previous ones in lease (sic) squares solution. Wrote up for publication. Also wrote for publication four other binary orbits. Gave address Vancouver Engineers. Usual administrative duties and correspondence in absence of Director
Tue, May 13, 1930 – 3 · The Vancouver Sun (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Astronomer J. A. Pearce was on outside duty May 4th to 29th inclusive. Visited Lick and Mt. Wilson observatories. Classified 350 stars, O – B9 at Lick Observatory and 140 stars O-B5 at Mt. Wilson Observatory. Gave one lecture on ‘The Determination of the Solar Motion, the K Term and the Galactic Rotation for the O and B type stars’ at the University of California

[While Pearce was in California he received his PhD in astronomy. He had been at UC Berkeley when he left in 1924 to take up the position at DAO. The University considered the work he had done while at DAO sufficient to award him the PhD. (Note the typo in the headline, Ed.]

Sat, May 17, 1930 – 22 · The Victoria Daily Times (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Astronomer C.S. Beals worked 6 nights obtaining 9 plates. Measured 15 plates for radial velocity. Worked out preliminary values for variation in radial velocity of star Z Ursa Majoris. Begin an investigation of the errors introduced by the use of a rotary sector for the calibration of photographic plates.

Astronomer R.O. Redman completed preparation for publication of work on Y Cygni. Worked 6 nights and obtained 24 plates. Measured 22 K spectra for radial velocity.

Computer S.N. Hill did computation of μ and φ for B type stars. Measured and reduced 3 B type spectrograms for radial velocity. Prepared article for meeting of American Association for Advancement of Science.

Clerk-Stenographer Miss L.M. Blake on sick leave part of month. Correspondence, spectra envelopes, accounts and reports. Usual typing of articles for printing.

Astronomical Assistant T.T. Hutchison assisted in observing on 14 nights. Kept telescope in running order.

Temp. Stenographer Miss L.H. Hawthorn handled correspondence, envelopes for spectra and typing of articles during secretary’s absence.