7 309 7 8 Two Probably Variable Nebulae. By E. E. . Mr. Denning has called attention to a nebula which I would specially recommend he discovered November 7, 1890,and gives the following careful observations of this nebula because I have had an experience position 1890.0 a = 3h56" d = +69"29'. i. with another new nebula in which I had previously discovered this nebula on August 23, I am positive of a light change. 1889. It was so singuIarly like a comet that I repeatedIy On November 30, 1888, I dis- measured it that night in hopes of detecting motion. Four covered a small pretty bright nebula hours observation however failed to show any displacement. @ in Cetus and was surprised from I again examined it the next night, and have observed it 8 the brightness of the nebula, to find several times since, and on one occasion independently that is was not in any catalogue. swept it up. It does not seem to have changed since my I carefully measured its position with the micrometer, and first observation. examined it the next night for motion, suspecting it to be It is I' diameter, round, very gradually brighter in a comet. No motion being detected it was not observed the middle with no nucleus. Its appearance is very much further. I have a very distinct recollection of the object like that of a comet of class I (see A. J. 246). It lies a little and from my description I would estimate that it was following the line and nearly midway between a xoth mag. between the 9th and lothmagnitudes. In its center was a star and an 8.3 mag. star (BD.8T4, AOe. 9m, Mr. Denning very small stellar nucleus of ihe 13~~mag. gives it as about 7 mag.). Not having seen the nebula in my subsequent sweeps From its brightness it is not possible that it has in that neighborhood, I was led in 1891 to examine its been so conspicuous for any great length of time, or it position with the 12inch. The nebula was found with some would surely have been found by Swift and others. Swift difficulty. It was extremely faint, and was only identified has 3 nebula in this region NGC. 1485 which he calls by the aid of the comparison star of the previous obser- e F, p S, R. The fact that Mr. Denning and I independently vation. This was November 22, 1891. I estimated it to found it within a little over a year is another proof that be 131,'~ magnitude, in diameter, with perhaps a faint it must be brighter than in previous years. nucleus. I again examined it on Dec. 24, 1891 and could The nebula should be watched as it will probably see a very faint nucleus. The nebula was estimated to be show signs of variability. 13 magnitude, round, in diameter. In a note it is re- Following are the measures of this nebula made on corded that from recollection, the nebula at these last ob- August 23, 1889, with the micrometer of the 12 inch servations could not be as bright as on Nov. 30, 1888. (neb.- *) : Following are the observations of the nebula 1888 da = -om5?20 (15 obs.), Ad = -3' 12:'o (6 obs.) Nov. 30 (neb.-*) : Comp. star: AOe. 4374-75 the place of which was d~l= + Im44?13 (10 obs.), Ad = -5' 47?2 (3 obs.). 1889.0 a = 3h56m22T2~,6 = +69O33' 5010. The comparison star was W, oh594 the position of which for a = Hence the place of the nebula is 1888.0was = 0~36~11f58,d -8O42'19l3, and the position of the nebula 1889.0 ct = 3h56mr7101,d = +69O30'38:'0. L( = d = I have a sketch of it made on the night of Aug. 23, 1888:o oh37"55?71, -8O48'6:'5. 1889, which corresponds to its appearance at subsequent The observations of Nov. 22, 1891 gave (neb.-*): observations. AU = +1~43?88(6 obs.), Ad -= .-5' 491'0 (3 obs.).

hit. Hamilton. 1802 March 27. E. E. Barnard The and Thales. By E. E. Barnnrd. I have never made a careful study of the 's that the attention of those interested in such work may be surface, but have casually examined it for a great many directed to the subject through the following remarks. years. Within the past two years I have witnessed two 1889 Sept. 3. While observing the occultation of Jupi- phenomena that may possibly be suggestive. ter my attention was attracted by the appearance of a small So little is really known that has a positive bearing crater which I have identified on Webb's Map of the Moon on evidence for a lunar atmosphere that it seems only (issued with $Celestial objects for common telescopes x) as just to print any observation, of which the observer is No. 205, Alpetragius. I was struck by the general haziness positive, that may be of evidence for or against the pre- of the interior of this crater at sidereal time 18~30'".Foll- sence of vapor on the Moon. I therefore do not hesitate owing are my notes accompanying a sketch. to give the following observations, but withhold any comments >The shadow of the central peak is diffused and pale. because of an unfamiliarity with lunar work. I trust however The entire inside of the crater seems to be filled with haze-. 9 309 7 10 or smoke. The shadow of the west wall is, however, object, which I have identified as Thales, No. 36 on Webb's and well defined and. extends but a slight distance on the chart, appeared to be filled with pale luminous haze, while floor, but the central peak, its shadow and all the floor its neighbor 35, Strabo, further from the terminator, was seems to be seen through haze. None of the other craters filled with perfectly black shadow. The small crater (36) show this appearance, they are all clear and their shadows which was just free of the terminator, was a striking ob- are black and well defined. Magnifying power = goo and ject from the haziness of its interior. The walls also seemed 150. Observation from sidereal 18~30"' to lgh.a to be hazy. A number of different eyepieces were tried on 1889 Oct. 2. Sidereal 19~15~-19~25"'. %The shadow it, but the appearance was the same with all. In this case in Alpetragius is black and its outlines are sharp and ragged. there was no possible source of illumination of the interior The details inside the crater are clear. No haziness what- from reflection by neighboring mountains. The telescope ever. Seeing = 4 (on scale of 5); magnifying power = 700.' was repeatedly turned to the moon and the crater examined 1889 Oct. 3. Sidereal 19~3om-1gh 45'". Seeing = 5. but no change occurred in its ap- BAlpetragius appears a little hazy inside but the shadow pearance while the terminator had of central cone is perfectly black except at its south foll- advanced considerably beyond it. owing edge where it appears to have a slight penumbra. Seeing was 4 on a scale of 5 for It is certainly blacker than when observed Sept. 3. The perfect steadiness. 0bserva tions shadow of the preceding wall is black and sharp in outline. from sidereal Sh to tlh30rn when There appears to be a very slight haze in the bottom of clouds cut off the view. the crater. Other craters near are clear and sharp inside.a As bad weather has set in 1889 Oct. 4. Sidereal 2oh, seeing = 4, power = loo. again, and no chance will occur >The shadow of cone in Alpetragius is only a very slight for examining the crater soon while penumbra, and the entire interior is hazy and foggy. It favorably placed, I have thought has the same appearance as on Sept. 3. The shadow of it best to forward the observations the preceding wall is not black. There is a suspicion of promptly so that those interested a faint warmth of color to the interior of the crater.a in lunar work may be able to I have never continued these observations for fear observe the object at the next of injury to the sensitiveness of my eyesight, and should lunation. not have brought the subject forwards at all, had not a I enclose a'rude sketch of still more singular observation occurred to recall the cir- the position and appearance of cumstance. the crater Thales, which must in In examining the moon on the evening of 1892 no wise be taken as an accurate March 31 I was struck with the appearance of a small representation, as it was made crater near the terminator in the north west quadrant. This very hastily.

Mt. Hamilton. 1802 ADril I. E. B Barnard Beobachtungen von Planeten und Cometen angestellt am Refractor der Sternwarte Kremsmiinster von Prof. F. Sckwab. Datum I M.Z.Kr. I da I dd I Vgl. I a app. 1 Par. I d app. 1 Par. k.adl. app. 1 * 1891 Planet (6) Hebe 9". Febr. 9 I 3h 5 51n565 +0"38f I 2 I0 '5 45 35 I -0 21.45 1891 Comet 1891 I. April 6 16 2 18 1-0 43.24 - I 10.4 I 5 I I 21 25.98 9.606,, +36 29 4.7 I o.86r I--1.97 - 5.6 j 2 1891 Comet Tempel,-Swift 1891 V. N0.v. 6 8 11 17 I +I 17.66 - o 3.9 1 Iz I 21 39 24.11 I +of581 + 8 57 19.6 +201)21 +I 72 +14.6, 3

Sept. I 12 8 39 +o 25.89 + 0 9.3 12 3 33 48.16 1-0.39 +24 50 39.5 + 4.9 +1.63 + 7.9; 4 z 12 31 42 +I 16.91 - 3 51.4 9 3 36 6.90 1 -0.38 -4-24 35 33.3 4.1 +1.65 + 8.01 5 3 12 26 56 -2 37.41 + I 8.1 10 3 38 20.86 I -0.38 -I-24 20 31.1 + 4.8 +1.66 + 8.1, 6 4 12 48 58 -2 13.24 0 34.2 10 3 40 35.64 -0.36 +24 4 29.3 4.1 +1.68 + 8.3 1 1 12 52 54 +2 14.63 - 3 53.1 8 3 41 3.14 1-0.36 4-23 '3 39.6 + 4.8 +1.76 + 8.91 8 I - 9 12 50 3 -0 7.79 + 0 59.1 9 - I -0.36 + 4.9 +I.78 -k 9.1 1 9

10 12 38 40 -1 51-63 + 2 8.1 10 3 53 '3.37 j -0.38 +22 18 43.6 + 5.0 +1.7.9 + 9.3 ~ 10