Otto Wilhelm von STRUVE (1819-1905), Russian astronomer, dir - Lot 72

Lot 72
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600 - 800 EUR
Otto Wilhelm von STRUVE (1819-1905), Russian astronomer, dir - Lot 72
Otto Wilhelm von STRUVE (1819-1905), Russian astronomer, director of the observatory of Poulkovo; he had installed in 1885 the largest astronomical telescope in the world, discovered double stars and measured the size of the rings of Saturn. 5 L.A.S. to Ernest Mouchez, 11 pp. in-8. Poulkova, May 1888 - June 1889. Beautiful astronomical correspondence, in particular about the Sky Map. He received the pictures of the lunar eclipse of January 28, but in very bad condition. "However, in spite of the scratches, the stars are very well visible for the microscope and one of my assistants, Mr. Renz, has already started the measurements. In the first place these measurements are made in the interest of the most exact deduction of the observation results provided by the eclipse of the moon []. One fact struck us at the first glance through the microscope, it is that at the edges of the plate, the stars present everywhere a slightly elliptical figure []. As for the participation of Russia in the started work of the Sky Map, there would be a whole story to tell you []. I will simply say that for this direct participation of Poulkova, the chances are very weak; but they are much stronger for the observatory of Helsingfors, whose latitude is even 23' more boreal than that of Poulkova, thus even more favorable for the circumpolar regions [] ". He also mentions Le Verrier and the inauguration of the statue erected in his memory, for which he plans to travel to Paris and give a speech. He also speaks about the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the observatory of Poulkova. "The Emperor expressed to me personally his will that at least until that day I remain director of the observatory. But he is tired and wishes to find a successor. "At this moment my time is mainly occupied by the description of our great refractor, which I intend to publish on the day of our semi-secular feast []".
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