From the Annals of Popular Astronomy 2
November 2024 :
In the late 1800s the astronomical publication of the time was the Sidereal Messenger started at Cincinnati Observatory and later moved to Goodsell Observatory of Carleton College in Minnesota. The Sidereal Messenger was a modest publication in size, catering to those interested in astronomy, the primary science of the time. The Messenger continued to be published for a few years only to be replaced by a new, more comprehensive journal, Popular Astronomy.
Popular Astronomy became the leading astronomical publication with extensive worldwide circulation. It catered to professional and amateur astronomy audiences. Published on a monthly basis, its many pages contained extensive articles, calendar of astronomical events, observational reports, reports on amateur societies, and a modest amount of advertising.
Over the last several months I have been reviewing the issues at Seagrave Observatory which belonged to Frank E. Seagrave. I have found much reference to Rhode Island astronomy and Skyscrapers, Inc. I thought copies of these entries would be of interest to our members as to our rich early history. Space permitting each issue of the Skyscraper will have a reprint.
Popular Astronomy November/December 1936
Notes from Amateurs (monthly column)
Meteors and Meteorites Section by: C.P. Olivier A.M.S.
“A number of other reports were received from this country, F. Preucil at Joliet, Illinois, observed on October 29-20 with F=1.0 from 10.55 to 11.56 C.S.T. and counted 27 meteors all of which he classifies as Orionids. Three were bright, and one of magnitude -3.0 left a 25 second train. John L. Euart of the Skyscrapers, Rhode Island Amateur Astronomical Society, report that four members observed at Scituate, Rhode Island, on the night of October 18-19. Between 13:30 and 15:00, three observers counted 79, 92, and 83 meteors, respectively; the fourth, observing for 75 minutes only, counted 67. These four hourly rates are 52.7, 61.3, 55.3, and 53.6, the average being 55.7. A fifth member of the party, Mrs.C.H. Smiley, plotted 34 meteors in the same 90 minutes, with Mr. Euart acting as recording assistant.”
Popular Astronomy June/July 1937
The Fifth Year of the Rhode Island “Skyscrapers”
The annual election and business meeting of Skyscrapers, Inc. (amateur astronomical society of Rhode Island) was held at Wilson Hall, Brown University, on June 1, 1936. The following officers were elected: President, Mr. Franklin S. Huddy; Vice president, Mr. Fredrick W. Hoffman and Mr. John L. Euart; Secretary Treasurer, Mr. Donald S. Reed.
The program of the third year was as follows:
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July 1, 1936 |
A large delegation attended the Third Annual Convention of the Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston at Harvard Observatory, Cambridge, Massachusetts. |
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July 15, 1936 |
Outdoor meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Sherman, Johnston, RI. |
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August 8, 1936 |
The Skyscrapers attended the 11th Annual Convention of the Springfield Amateur Telescope Makers at “Stellafane,” Springfield, Vermont. |
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September 16, 1936 |
Mr. Francis Middleswart, of the department of Mathematics of Brown University, told of his sojourn in Paris and his visit to famous European observatories. |
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October 7, 1936 |
Mr. Ernest R. Hager gave an account of “The Beginnings of Astronomy at Brown University.” Miss Della Patch spoke on “astronomical Activities in the state of Washington.” |
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November 19, 1936 |
The Frank Evans Seagrave Observatory at North Scituate, Rhode Island, was purchased by Skyscrapers Inc. |
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November 28, 1936 |
Mr. Wayne M. Faunce, Vice Director and Executive Secretary of the Museum of Natural History in New York City spoke on “Planetarium Patter.” |
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January 6, 1937 |
Professor Charles H. Smiley of Brown University gave a lecture on “Eclipses.” |
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January 27, 1937 |
The Skyscrapers gave a farewell dinner to Professor and Mrs. Charles H, Smiley, who were leaving for a sabbatical half year in California. |
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February 8, 1937 |
Miss Victoria E. Atwell gave an address on “Astronomy and King Charles II of England.” |
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March 10, 1937 |
Professor Raymond C. Archibald of the Mathematics Department of Brown University spoke on “Simon Newcomb.” |
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April 5, 1937 |
Professor Lawrence C. Wroth, Librarian of the John Carter Brown Library, gave an address on “Some Early Books on the Science of Navigation.” |
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May 5, 1937 |
The Fifth Annual Dinner of the Skyscrapers was held at Faunce House, Brown University. Following dinner, the Skyscrapers and their guests heard Dr. Annie Jump Cannon, Curator of Astronomical Photographs at Harvard College Observatory, speak in Metcalf Hall, Brown University on “Reminiscences of an Astronomer.” The lecture was illustrated by lantern slides. |
Last year the organization was divided into various groups for special study and the following sections have been very active during the year, meeting once a month: Constellation, Mathematics, Photographic, Meteor, Variable Stars, and Telescope Making.
On November 19, 1936, the Skyscrapers Amateur Astronomical Society of Rhode Island was incorporated under the Rhode Island laws and its name was changed to “Skyscraper, Inc.” On the same date, the society purchased the Frank Evans Seagrave Observatory at North Scituate, Rhode Island, which contains an 8-inch refracting telescope which was made by Alvan Clark & Sons of Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The Schmidt F/1 camera, on which Mr. Harry A. MacKnight, Mr. Donald S. Reed, and Mr. Fredrick W. Hoffman have been working for over a year, is now completed and has been shipped to Professor Charles H. Smiley at Pasadena, California. Professor Smiley intends to use this camera to photograph the eclipse of the sun on June 8, 1937, in Peru.
Constance H. Reed, Secretary - May 21, 1937
