Show I Ej n b n 9 Harvard to Study Stars Stars r s p Roots 3 ion Mi JY i Preparations are being made at nt the Harvard observatory for the emplacement emplacement emplacement ment of the largest practical reflector telescope in the world There is a larger one in Ireland but It is said to tobe tobe be unsatisfactory The Lick and Y Yerkes telescopes are big and powerful powerful power power- ful but they are refracting telescopes the distinction between the two being th that it there is no lense at the receiving end of a reflector for the light to pass t through rough l 4 t This now now engine for p pulling I ng secrets down from the heavens will be established established at Harvard out of doors the telescope being encased in a long Jong square casing of metal to prot protect l it I M How the Big Reflector Will Look When Completed from the weather It will be hinged on a float which will be buoyed in a tank of water let et into the earth The tank will vill be of concrete and cement Work Vork Is now In progress and when all Is finished observers operating this great reflector will find star and planet study in cold weather much more comfortable than similar questing questing questing quest quest- ing with refracting telescopes Why Well with the refracting kind of instruments it it being necessary that all telescopes should be operated in the same temperature as the warmth or chill outside the outside the operator must of course do his observing In Inthe inthe inthe the cold if a good night for star study should happen to be frosty These telescopes are mounted indoors and the mechanism which swings the great cylinder to keep the glass on the object also swings the observer The reflector telescope may be mounted outside and be operated from inside This is made possible by a system of mirrors which enables the operator in a fixed position indoors to keep the object in view while the telescope swings to keep in touch with the object |