Frontispiece—BUILDING AND DOME FROM SOUTH
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Hon. Charles Stewart Minister
W. W. Cory, C.M.G. Deputy Minister
The
Dominion Astrophysical
Observatory
Victoria, B.C.
A SKETCH of the development of astronomyin Canada and of the founding of this observatory.A description of the building and of themechanical and optical details of the telescope. Anaccount of the principal work of the institution.
By
J. S. Plaskett, F.R.S.
Ottawa
F. A. ACLAND,
Printer to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty
1923
STAFF OF THE OBSERVATORY:
| Director | J. S. Plaskett, B.A., D.Sc., F.R.S.C., F.R.S. |
| Research Astronomer | W. E. Harper, M.A. |
| Astronomer | Reynold K. Young, Ph.D., F.R.S.C. |
| Astronomer | H. H. Plaskett, B.A. |
| Secretary | Miss H. R. Keay |
| Observing Assistant | T. T. Hutchison, Esq. |
THE DOMINION ASTROPHYSICAL
OBSERVATORY
VICTORIA, B.C.
By J. S. PLASKETT, Director.
SECTION 1.—HISTORY AND CONSTRUCTION
Introduction
This description of the observatory, its equipment andwork has been written by the director in response to a need,frequently expressed by the numerous visitors to the institution,of a non-technical account of the principles of thetelescope and of the work of the institution. This accountwill commence by a short historical sketch of the beginningsof the undertaking followed by a description of the observatoryand telescope and concluded by a resume of its work.
Historical Sketch
This observatory is a branch of the Department of theInterior of the Federal Government, the department whichhas charge of the administration of the western lands of theDominion. In the colonization of these lands, one of theobvious first needs was a survey of the boundaries and subdivisioninto townships and sections. This need led to theorganization of a surveys branch of the department and outof the necessity of accurate astronomical observations todelimit the boundaries and define the position of the baselines for subdivision work arose the astronomical branch.The first Chief Astronomer of Canada, the late Dr. W. F.King, was a man of sterling integrity and remarkable abilityand to his genius must be ascribed in large degree the presentdevelopment of astronomy in Canada. As Chief Astronomerand H. M. Commissioner of International Boundaries, he...