COMMITTEE ON THE TRANSIT OF VENUS. 1871 AND 1881 Two transits of Venus across the sun's disc have occurred since the foundation of the Academy fifty years ago. These took place in 1874 and in 1882. No more will occur until the year 2002. As early as 1870, or even before that date, plans began to be formulated for observing these rare celestial phenomena. At the session of the Academy held in Washington in April, 1870, Simon Newcomb read a paper, "On the coming transits of Venus and the mode of observing them," in which he said:

Although the next transit does not occur for four years, the preliminary arrangements for its observation are already being made by the governments and scientific organizations of Europe. It is not likely that our government will be backward in furnishing the means to enable its astronomers to take part in this work. The principal dangers are, I apprehend, those of setting out with insufficient preparation, with unmatured plans of observation, and without a good system of coöperation among the several parties. For this reason I beg leave to call the attention of the Academy to a discussion of the measures by which we may hope for an accurate result."

After explaining the methods which it was necessary to employ, he remarked:

.. I have endeavored to show that no valuable result is to be expected from hastily-organized and hurriedly-equipped expeditions; that every step in planning the observations requires careful consideration, and that in all the preparatory arrangements we should make haste very slowly. I make this presentation with the hope that the Academy will take such action on the matter as may seem proper and desirable.” 70

At the same session a committee was appointed by the President of the Academy to secure the successful observation of the transit. It consisted of Benjamin Peirce, Superintendent of the Coast Survey, Rear-Admiral Charles H. Davis, at that time in charge of the Naval Station at Norfolk, and Commodore B. F. Sands, Superintendent of the Naval Observatory.

In his report for the year 1870, the Secretary of the Navy, George M. Robeson, remarked:

"Amer. Journ. Sci., ser. 2, vol. 50, 1870, pp. 74-83. On the mode of observing the coming Transits of Venus. By Simon Newcomb. Read before the National Academy of Sciences, April 13, 1870.

COMMITTEE ON THE TRANSIT OF VENUS. 1871 AND 1881 Two transits of Venus across the sun's disc have occurred since the foundation of the Academy fifty years ago. These took place in 1874 and in 1882. No more will occur until the year 2002. As early as 1870, or even before that date, plans began to be formulated for observing these rare celestial phenomena. At the session of the Academy held in Washington in April, 1870, Simon Newcomb read a paper, "On the coming transits of Venus and the mode of observing them," in which he said:

. . . . Although the next transit does not occur for four years, the preliminary arrangements for its observation are already being made by the governments and scientific organizations of Europe. It is not likely that our government will be backward in furnishing the means to enable its astronomers to take part in this work. The principal dangers are, I apprehend, those of setting out with insufficient preparation, with unmatured plans of observation, and without a good system of coöperation among the several parties. For this reason I beg leave to call the attention of the Academy to a discussion of the measures by which we may hope for an accurate result."

After explaining the methods which it was necessary to employ, he remarked:

I have endeavored to show that no valuable result is to be expected from hastily-organized and hurriedly-tipped expeditions; that every step in planning the observations requires cul consideration, and that in all the preparatory arrangements we shod r. e baste very slowly. I make this presentation with the hope that the Ad will take such action on the matter as may seem proper and desirai le

At the same session a committee was appointed by the President of the Academy to secure the successful observation of the transit. It consisted of Benjamin Peirce, Superintendent of the Coast Survey, Rear-Admiral Charles H. Davis, at that time in charge of the Naval Station at Norfolk, and Commodore B. F. Sands, Superintendent of the Naval Observatory.

In his report for the year 1870, the Secretary of the Navy, George M. Robeson, remarked:

10 Amer. Journ. Sci., ser. 2, vol. 50, 1870, pp. 74-83. On the mode of observing the coming Transits of Venus. By Simon Newcomb. Read before the National Academy of Sciences, April 13, 1870.