NP 2660.
0l)servations of Variable Stars in 1884.
By Edw27t F. Sawyer.
The following observations of variable stars were made during the year I 884, at Cambridgeport, Mass. U. S. A, Argelander's method was used as usual, in making the observations.
The light values of the comparison stars were determined from my observations and the corresponding light of the variables deduced from these.
The light values were plotted upon squared paper and the times of max. and min. were determined by Pogson's method of intersecting curves.
In making the observations, an opera-glass magnifying 21/2 diameters, a field-glass magnifying 4 diameters, and occasionally a 43/ti inch. Clacey, equ. refractor, with power of 40, were used. A majority of the stars were observed slightly out of focus, this method after repeated trials appearing to give the best results, and especially in cases where the stars are of decided color. The preliminary results given below are derived from some I 300 observations. I .
R L e o n i s .
This star was under observation from Jan. 26 to June 2 0 . The observations were much interfered with by cloudy weather, and the time of max. appears rather uncertain. From the mean of equal lights recorded on Jan. 26 and Febr. 1 5 , the max. occurred not far from Febr. 5 . The star at its brightest phase was 3 or 4 steps >-DM. +12'2095 and 5 + steps < DM. + 1 2 ~2 0 9 0 or about 6.7 mag. From May 26 until June 2 0 , R was observed with the refractor, and when last observed was 2 steps > DhI. + I 2'2094 and 4 steps < DM. + I 2'2093 or 9.5 mag.
At its max. in 1883, the star was a mag. brighter, than at its max. this year or 5.7 mag.
3 3 observations were obtained this year.
R L e o n i s ? 4 i n o r i s . Observations on this star wert commenced on May 24 and terminated on July 2 0 , the low altitude of the star preventing further observations. The star was undoubtedly at its max. when the observations ended. Its brightness was 4 steps > DM. -+35"2046 and = DM. +33"1907 or 7.4 mag., about the same brightness as last year.
2 0 observations were obtained.
- R V i r g i n i s . Observed from March 1 5 to May 26 (27 observations) and again from July 2 I to Aug. I 5 (6 observations). \'hen Bd. 111.
first seen on March 15, it was = DM.