Plaskett Report for November 1923


The observing weather during November was considerably better than the average but by no means equal to the exceptional October of 1923. 65 spectrograms were obtained on 13 nights and parts of nights, but those included some long exposure spectra. The mirror was resilvered on November 23. The office work has made satisfactory progress and the preparation of two major pieces of work for publication continues.

[Work started on the new office building at the Observatory, Ed]

Sat, Nov 24, 1923 – 9 · The Victoria Daily Times (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) · Newspapers.com

Director J. S. Plaskett obtained 27 spectrograms on 4 nights. Measured 12 spectrograms for the D lines in the visual end. Prepared a paper for the Royal Astronomical Society, London, on the Calcium H and K lines in O-type stars. Preparing for writing up of paper on O-type stars. Usual administrative and correspondence work.

[J. S. Plaskett had an almost full-page article in the November 25 Daily Colonist. The articled titled “A Great Astronomical Meeting” talked about the September 10 solar eclipse and the joint AAS/ASP meeting that occurred afterward at Mount Wilson. Interesting that such a length article about an astronomical meeting would appear in the daily newspaper., Ed.]

Research Astronomer W. E. Harper obtained 9 spectrograms on 1 night. Day work entirely confined to remeasurement of the Boss stars for absolute magnitude using new lines and to the revision of the tables.

Astronomer R. K. Young obtained 22 spectrograms on 5 nights. Completed measurement for absolute magnitude of all HR stars obtained for radial velocities. Commenced preparation of a manuscript for publication – “The Absolute Magnitude of the Stars“. The immense amount of detail in the publication involves considerable labour.

Astronomer H. H. Plaskett obtained 8 long exposure spectrograms on 4 nights. Experiments and measurements on the value of prefogging plates and found the best amount for S 30 plates. Measured and computed the ultra violet spectra of Z Andromedae and BD +30 3639.

Senior Clerk Typist Miss H. R. Keay [note her promotion, Ed.] handled the usual correspondence, plates, accounts and reports. Typed Volume II, Number 15 and also the article on H and K lines. Completed the first four hours of the new catalogue of B-type stars. Prepared the mailing list, etc. for distribution of Volume II, Numbers 10 and 11. Ruled one or two hundred cards for absolute magnitude and prepared periodicals for binding.

Instrument Maker Foreman T. T. Hutchison assisted with night observations on 11 nights. Dismounted and replaced mirror and cell for resilivering. Made attachments for fogging and placing sensitometer patches on plates.