HARVARD OBSERVATORY STATION IN SPAIN.
In September, 1871, was begun an elaborate investigation of lunar phenomena, which continued a year. In 1871 an arrangement was made with the coast survey by which a series of photometric observations was carried through, and for this a Zöllner astro-photometer was imported. The work was continued three years, though not all of it at Cambridge. The results are in the annals in 1878. The standard in using this instrument was an artificial star produced by lamplight.
During this term two expeditions were made with apparatus for observing total eclipses of the sun, and in both satisfactory results were obtained. On the first occasion, of date Aug. 7, 1869, the station was at Shelbyville, Ky., and on the second, of date Dec. 22, 1870, at Jerez de la Frontera, in Spain. In 1867 daily observations in terrestrial magnetism were made at the observatory for the purposes of the coast survey. In March, 1869, experiments for determination of longitudes were conducted on a continental scale, wire connection by relays being made with San Francisco. In these experiments apparatus which had been modified by Prof. Winlock was used and by this method, and also by another which was applied, it proved that the time of passage of a signal from Cambridge to San Francisco through the wire and six relays was very nearly three-quarters of a second. Between Dec. 13, 1869, and the summer of 1872, electric signals were sent by the Atlantic cable to and from Brest in France, via Duxbury, Mass.
The purpose of these tests was to establish with precision the difference of longitude between America and Europe. Prof. Winlock supervised the work of preparing and engraving a series of plates illustrating remarkable celestial objects. These gave special value to the volume of annals in which they appeared, causing an unprecedented demand for copies, so that it is now a rare book. His publications were not numerous, but there is no doubt that his scholarship, versatility and wide experience would have yielded valuable additions to the literature of science had his life been prolonged.
The means at command during his term did not warrant the publication of many volumes of annals. Though for nearly 10 years in office he did not live to see any of his own observations published or even to complete the work of his predecessors.
PROF. JOSEPH WINLOCK.
During the term the permanent funds of the observatory were increased by the bequest of James Hayward $20,000, and that of James Savage $20,000. In 1870 a subscription of $12,450 was completed for purchase of a new meridian circle. In the preceding term a gift of $10,000 was made by William Sturgis for the publication fund. Prof. Winlock had the honorary degree of A.M. from Harvard in 1868.