A Great Telescope

Mr. Alvan Clark, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, has constructed an achromatic telescope, said to be the largest in the world.  The glass has a focal distance of 23 feet, and a diameter of 18 inches.  The glass revolves the sextuple star Theta, on Orionis, which is regarded as a severe test.  Mr. Tuttle of the Boston Society of Natural History, tells that further has been disclosed by it.

“The telescope was then directed to the bright star Sirius, the most brilliant star in the whole heavens, and popularly known as the ‘Dog Star.’  All eyes eagerly sought for the minute companion star which Mr. Clark had discovered of his first directing the telescope to that star.  It required but little time for those accustomed to look at minute telescopic objects to discern the little stranger hovering close within the dazzling rays of the brilliant Sirius, and almost exactly following it in right ascension.  Its minute, tremulous light, when once caught by the eye, was easily kept in view, and as the star ascended in altitude, became still better seen.  In piont of brilliancy, it does not differ greatly from the well known ‘sixth star in the trapezium’ of Orion.”

This telescope has removed both difficulties of spherical and chromatic aberration, and shows the images of the stars as round uniform disks, without any wings or wisps of light distorting their aspect.

Since the discovery of the companion of Sirius by Mr. Clark, Prof. Bond of the Harvard Observatory has seen it with his refractory telescope.  He says:

“The low altitude of Sirius in this latitude, even when on the Meridian, makes it very difficult to catch sight of the companion, on account of atmospheric disturbances; when the images are tranquil, however, it is readily seen.  It must be regarded as the best possible evidence  of the superior quality of the object glass, that it has served to discover this minute star so close to the overpowering brilliancy of Sirius.  A defect in the material of workmanship would be very sure to cause a dispersion of light, which would be fatal to its visibility.

It remains to be seen whether this will prove to be the hitherto invisible body long disturbing the motions of Sirius, the existence of which has long been surmised from the investigations of Bessel and Peters upon the irregularities of its proper motion in right ascension.”

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, April 5, 1862, p. 3

Water Gasses Letter from Prof. Sanders

(From the N. Y. Scientific American, April 5.)

MESSRS. EDITORS:– In your issue dated Saturday, March 29^th, you asked the question, “what has become of Sanders’ water gas?”  You likewise said you predicted its failure, &c.  Although the past year has not been very favorable for the progress of any new enterprise, still the water gas has thrived as rapidly as could be expected.  The city of Aurora, Ind., has been lighted with this gas for the last eighteen months and the town of Marlboro’, Mass., for the last six months.  During that time, it would be expected that some estimate should be arrived at respecting the cost of the water gas.  As I have not been at either of these towns I cannot speak from actual observation, but from letters which I have received from the engineer of those works, the cost and quality of the water gas have proved highly satisfactory.  Mr. Severin, who got up the water gas works at Aurora, Ind., informs me in a recent letter that since they have got to making superheated steam, and crude coal oil for the carbonizer of the water constituents, the fact is demonstrated beyond dispute that the water gas of a superior quality can be made at a cost as low as twenty-five cents the thousand cubic feet.  Mr. Cresson informs us that in his late report of the progress, &c., of coal gas at the Philadelphia works, that the cost of coal gas there is $1.20 per thousand feet.  As photometric experiments have demonstrated that the water gas gives one-third more light than ordinary coal gas the public will soon have it made clear to them which gas it is for their interest to patronize.  Patents for the water gas have been procured in the principal kingdoms of Europe.  A wealthy company have taken hold of the water gas in London, and a large city near there is now being prepared for lighting with the gas.  Mr. Severin, of Aurora, is now on his way to England for the purpose of superintending the erection of the works there.  I must also state that the town of Laconia, New Hampshire, a place containing large manufactories, is now lighted with water gas.

Do these facts seem to prove your prediction true that the water gas is a failure? – Ere the present year – so pregnant of great events – has gone by, demonstrations of a gigantic nature, nearer hand, will disabuse you for the delusion you have entertained, that the water gas is a failure.  And in conclusion, gentlemen, let me assure you that the company at Philadelphia have not for a moment entertained the belief that your apparent opposition to the water gas originated in any other motive than that of exposing what you conceived to be a humbug; and they anticipate that the independent candor that actuated your former articles will induce you soon to do justice to a discovery, which, despite the unscrupulous efforts of the interested companies, will prove the greatest benefit to the people.

J. MILTON SANDERS.

New York, March 26, 1862.

(We assure Professor Sanders that it will afford us the greatest pleasure to announce the success of his water gas.  We are tired of the old monopolies, and want new, cheap and useful gas. – Eds. Sc. Am.)

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 8, 1862, p. 2