| Show I 1 N expedition to mt Is no small undertaking mountain la 5 feet height according to the geodetic survey the altitude Is usually given in round numbers as feet which Is a pardonable ex agger atlon the trip involves a climb of 4 feet vertical which Is ac tn a tramp of nine miles from the of the sierra madre cars of the pacific electric system this is called the sierra madre trail and Is usually taken by toot gers or by those who choose to make burros or mules do the fatigue work writes W 11 knight in the los an geles times but there la besides a so called automobile roadway of greater length and easier grade it was built and Is kept in good repair by the carnegie alon tor the transportation of building material and also to bring up supplies astronomers for although the latter devote their time to the bontem platoon of the heavens and seem to be dwelling in far off celestial spheres yet they are actually human and have clavings cravings cravi that can only be satisfied by consuming things of terrestrial growth observatory will be massive up this carnegie road tons of steel have been transported for the construction of the new mammoth observatory atory which Is to house the great inch reflecting telescope and before the observatory Is completed that gigantic building will consume an ad tons of structural steel this will include the grand dome feet in diameter whose topmost point will be feet from the ground it will be by far the most massive belld at tour 0 clock when the bun began to throw long shadows from the mag peaks across the dark can below one of the party ex claimed why yonder Is the tower telescope on the distant summit of ML allson and it was still three miles away at last after ten miles 0 strenuous hiking the camp was reached and though all felt well paid by the fine scenery they had enjoyed they were dubious about recommend ing the didgo trail to other pilgrims in quiring about the route glimpse of De lavana comet at 3 30 a m young baumgardt who Is an enthusiast summoned the en members to rise and get a glimpse of delavan s remarkable corn et which has now been visible to as tron omers tor many months it la mid way between brilliant capella and the twins though but dimly visible to the naked eye it Is flashed out with great beauty in baumgardt 8 powerful binocular telescope and has a broad comb like tail but bad then developed any long streamers presently the comet began to fade in the approaching dawn and then the party adjourned to echo rock to witness the novelty of a sunrise over the san antonio range of mountains A level stratum of cloud resembling molten gold adorned the summit sud denly a rim of translucent silver and then a sphere of pure light rose as if it were a gigantic bubble issuing from the cloud words fall to express the exquisite beauty of the scene it well compensated for the toilsome climb of the previous day and the broken slumbers of the morn ing from echo rock the party went log ever planned for and devoted to astronomical use the ambers nm bers of the astronomy club climbed the trail under the direction of secretary thomas P smith mr baumgardt Daum gardt son of B R baumgardt lectured and his friend brought up two fine portable telescopes which proved of great service on the moun tain dut there was another party whose adventures are worth noting it was conducted by vallette L benedict the members of little group ven aured over another trail which proved to be full of surprises they went up the mt lawe electric road to AI pine tavern 6 feet elevation and irom there started for mt allson by me of the standard forest trails along the dividing ridge long and tiring hike an optimistic signboard near the tavern reads six miles but who could that it meant by air line as the aeroplane flies after hiking along their serpentine course tor two hours alternately climbing steep grades and dropping to lower levels they came to another sign which read five and one halt miles overcome with the tumor of the situation they settled Is a shady nook opened out their noon lunch which was washed down with a bottle of bryan beverage thoughtfully provided by the dent and doubly appreciated for there was not a trickle of water oa the whole route but the scenery wag magnificently grand there were fascinating views of alpine peaks some of them wooded to the summit with giant pines and spruced spruces others bastioned by granite crags emch pierced the clear bl nesky and oa either hand deep verdure clad canyons leading off through interman vistas to other lofty mountain ranges and a special charm of these bt i MIM was their entea barf ara t i j over to the snow telescope which lies prone teet in length along the edge of the cliff the suns rays are directed into it by an ingenious mech of two plane mirrors the image of the sun projected on a screen visible to all Is seven inches in dl ameter the largest loua one waa only five inches near the eastern limb astronomical parlance for edge a large spot as visible the largest that has appeared for several years big tower telescope next they visited the great tower telescope near by the massive doublas tower one within the other to prevent vibration of the inner one alsea teet from the ground where ita tour steel columns rest on piers which reach down to the granite base 0 the mountain beneath the surface Is a pit 78 teet in depth at the bottom 0 which there Is a chamber where the temperature Is practically uniform and the results of observations are accurately registered two exceedingly busy men dr charles E st john and his efficient assistant were making and recording spectroscopic observations of the sun whose image 16 inches in diameter was projected down from a doma on the top of the tower the solar atmosphere was boiling round a huge sun spot 30 miles across astronomers in other parts of the world are acx bously awaiting reports of mt observers in this tower telescope while the privileged party were watch ing the manipulation of the comell bated mechanism doctor at john produced a spectrum en glass about awen ty inches in length As it proved to be imperfect be cut small sections off with a diamond and distributed them among the visitors and they will be kept as cherished me mentoe of the occasion note carefully the man who owa a beott voice 3 |
