Observing weather much above average for the month of November which is usually rainy and cloudy. Obtained 85 spectra on 12 nights.
{J.S. Plaskett’s wife, Rebecca (Reba) Hope Hemley, was active in the community. The Observatory caretaker, Hugh Little, also served as the family chauffeur, Ed]
Director J. S. Plaskett obtained 31 spectrograms on 3 nights and measured 48 spectrograms for radial velocity., Computed least-squares corrections to 21 Cass. and worked on the period of HD 191201. Handled correspondence, accounts and administrative work as usual.
Research Astronomer W. E. Harper observed on 3 nights and obtained 21 spectra. Measured 101 spectrograms for radial velocity.
Astronomer H. H. Plaskett obtained 3 spectra on 1 night. Developed a new theory of the wedge method to include the effect of non-uniformity of dispersion in the spectroscope. Reduced wedge measures of the Orion plates obtaining the absolute intensities of H , H , H , H , H . [The blanks are on the original and these are lines in the Balmer series of Hydrogen, They were probably filled in for the copy sent to Ottawa] Work in preparation for a lecture on Science and the Future.
Assistant Astronomer J. A. Pearce (temporary) obtained 21 plates on 6 nights. Measured and reduced 45 spectrograms for radial velocity
Astronomical Computer S. N. Hill measured 38 spectrograms. Prepared 71 cards, right ascension and declination to latitude and longitude. Work in connection with the library, filing current periodicals.
Senior Clerk Typist Miss H. R. Keay handled the usual plates, correspondence, accounts and reports. Read the proof of Volume III, Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4. Assisted in collecting all B-type spectra. Made about 60 tabs for drawers for filing spectra.
Temporary Assistant W. H. Christie worked 1 nights and obtained 9 spectra
Instrument Maker Foreman T. T. Hutchison assisted with observing on 9 nights. Usual maintenance of the telescope. Installing electric alarms on windows in the dome. Fitting up the enlarging apparatus in photographic room.
[The November 2 issue of the Daily colonist had a long article on Ambrose Swasey, the co-head of the company that constructed the DAO telescope. He had recently been awarded the John Fritz gold medal for “outstanding scientific or industrial achievements”. This medal had been awarded previously to Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Alva Edison and Guglielmo Marconi. This list of distinguished recipients gives you a sense of the stature of Ambrose Swasey., Ed.]