Page:The story of the comets.djvu/91

code (known as the Science Observer Code) may be given as follows:—

"Butler

Barnard

Nashville

Rol

October

Kan-upate

Boz-odate

Bun-alist

Dar-ation

Duz-ogoon

Baf-ofant

Baf-ôlute

Beetle."

Which means:— "A faint comet was discovered by Barnard at Nashville on October 14. Its position October 15, at 9^h 30^m 15^s is R.A. 2^h 27^m 13.5^s. N.P.D. 27° 13' 23". Its daily motion in R.A. is (-72^s), and in N.P.D. (-8')."

The advantage of a code is obvious, and the rules for working this one seem sufficiently clear to obviate serious mistakes in telegraphing. The head quarters of the move- ment is at the Harvard College Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The code in use in Europe is on a different basis, and suits the difference in the European telegraph charges as compared with the American charges, and on the whole is more simple and more comprehensive. The head quarters of the European Use is the German Observatory at Kiel. The following is a sample message:—

"Comète Pechüle 16 Décembre 06500 Copenhague 28215 07929 36129

35745 14518 brillante, circulaire, condensation. Pechüle."

Which means:— "Une comète a été découverte par Pechule:

Dec. 16 6^h 50.0 T.M. Copenhague
A.R. = 282° 15
N.P.D. = 79 29
Mouv. diurne en A.R.: + 1° 29':
en N.P.D.: –2° 15'
Comète brillante, circulaire avec condensation. Pechule."