Several close double stars were examined on the night of April 17, 1900, with a power of 620. The seeing was four on a scale of five. The magnitudes and distances of the components, as given in the table, are from recent observations by Professor Hussey with the 36-inch refractor.
| Star. | Mag. | d. | Result of Obs. | |||
| ΟΣ 208 (φ Urs. Maj.) | 5.0, 5.5 | 0″.35 | Not resolved; too bright. | |||
| ΟΣ 249, AB | 7.2, 8.0 | 0 .54 | Easily resolved. | |||
| ΟΣ 250 | 7.7, 8.0 | 0 .44 | Resolved. | |||
| ΟΣ 267 | 8.0, 8.2 | 0 .30 | Just resolved at best moments. |
Although the theoretical limit of resolution for a three-foot aperture is not reached in these observations, I do not think the mirror can do any better.
The small mirror, or flat, at the upper end of the tube, is circular, the diameter being nine inches. Its projection on the plane of the photographic plate is therefore elliptical; but the projection of the mirror and its cell on the plane of the great mirror is very nearly circular.
The small mirror, acting as a central stop, has the effect of diminishing the size of the central disk of the diffraction pattern, at the expense of an increase in the brightness of the system of rings. To this effect may be due, in part, the inferiority of the reflector for resolving bright doubles, as compared with a refractor of the same aperture. For photographic purposes, it is evident that the mirror is practically perfect.
The upper end of the tube can be rotated, carrying with it the flat and the eye-end. Whenever the position is changed, the mirrors have to be re-collimated. In practice it is seldom necessary to touch the adjusting screws of the mirrors themselves. The adjustment is effected by means of clamping and butting screws on the eye-end, and a change of the line of collimation, with respect to the finders and the circles, is avoided. The operation is generally referred to, however, as an adjustment of the mirrors.
For adjusting the mirrors there are two collimators. One of these is of the form devised by Mr. Crossley.[7] It is very convenient in use, and is sufficiently accurate for the adjustment of the eye-end when the telescope is used for photographic purposes, inasmuch as the exact place where the axis of the large mirror cuts the photographic plate is not then a matter of great importance, so long as it is near the center. Moreover, as stated farther below, the direction of the axis changes during a long exposure. The other collimator is of a form originally due, I think, to Dr. Johnstone Stoney. It consists of a small telescope, which fits the draw-tube at the eye-end. In the focus of the eyepiece are, instead of cross-wires, two adjustable terminals, between which an electric spark can be passed, generated by a small induction machine, like a replenisher, held in the observer’s hand. The terminals are at such a distance inside the principal focus of the objective, that the light from the spark, after reflection from the flat, appears to proceed from the center of curvature of the large mirror. The rays are therefore reflected back normally, and form an image of the spark which, when the mirrors are in perfect adjustment, coincides with the spark itself. The precision of this method is very great. It is in fact out of proportion to the degree of refinement attained in other adjustments of the reflector, for a slight pressure of the hand on the draw-tube, or movement of the telescope to a different altitude, instantly destroys the perfection of the adjustment. I have provided these collimators with an adapter which fits the photographic apparatus, so that one can adjust the mirrors without having to remove this apparatus and substitute for it the ordinary eye-end carrying the eyepieces.
For visual observation the Crossley telescope is provided with seven eyepieces, with powers ranging from 620 downward. The lowest power is only 60, and consequently utilizes only 12 inches of the mirror, 9 of which are covered by the central flat. It is therefore of little value, except for finding purposes. The next lowest power utilizes 28 inches of the mirror. The other eyepieces call for no remark.
But, while the Crossley reflector would doubtless be serviceable for various kinds of visual observations, its photographic applications are regarded as having the most importance, and have been chiefly considered in deciding upon the different changes and improvements which have been made.
The interior of the dome is lighted at night by a large lamp, which is enclosed in a suitable box or lantern, fitted with panes of red glass, and mounted on a portable stand. In order to diffuse the light in the lower part of the dome, where most of the assistant’s work is done, the walls are painted bright red; while to prevent reflected light from reaching the photographic plate, the inner surface of the dome itself, the mounting, and the ladders and gallery are painted dead black. The observer is therefore in comparative darkness, and not the slightest fogging of the plate, from the red light below, is produced during a four-hours’ exposure. On the few occasions when orthochromatic plates are used the lamp need not be lighted.