University of Virginia Library

SCHOOL OF PRACTICAL ASTRONOMY.

Professor Stone.

Mr. Olivier.

Mr. Neff.

Required for Admission to the Work of the School: The General
Entrance Examination, and Course 1A in the School of Mathematics
or its equivalent.

Course 1B: General Astronomy: Mathematics 1A prerequisite.—
The primary aim of this course is to give such a knowledge of the facts,

principles, and methods of Astronomy as every well-educated person should
possess.

The instruction is given by oral examinations, by lectures, and by the
assignment of problems. The mental discipline of the student is kept
constantly in view, and an earnest effort is made to create a habit of clear
and logical thinking.

Text-Book.—Young's General Astronomy.

Course 2C: Practical Astronomy: Course 1B and Mathematics 2B
(or its equivalent) prerequisite.—Spherical Astronomy and theory of
astronomical instruments, with practical exercises in making and reducing
astronomical observations.

Course 3C: Theoria Motus: Course 1B and Mathematics 2B (or its
equivalent) prerequisite.—Formation and integration of the differential
equations of motion for an undisturbed body, determination of the position
of a planet from known elements, of an elliptic orbit from three complete
observations, of an orbit from four observations of which only two are
complete, of an orbit from any number of observations employing the
method of least squares.

Course 4C: Celestial Mechanics: Course 1B and Mathematics 2B
(or its equivalent) prerequisite.—The principal subjects considered are
rectilinear motion, central forces, potential, problems of two, three and n
bodies, perturbations, determination of a preliminary orbit.

Course 5D: Spherical and Practical Astronomy: Course 2C prerequisite.—Determination
of the positions of the fixed stars, preparation
of star catalogues, statistical study of the structure of the sidereal universe.

Course 6D: Celestial Mechanics: Course 4C prerequisite.—Problem
of three bodies, and theory of perturbations.

Course 7D: Lunar Theory: Course 4C prerequisite.

Course 8D: Recent Advances in Celestial Mechanics: Course
5D prerequisite.—Researches of Hill, Newcomb, Gyldén, Poincaré, and
others.

For information in regard to Fellowships in Astronomy application
should be made to the Professor in charge of the School.

The Astronomical Observatory is situated upon an elevation
known as Mount Jefferson, which furnishes an unobstructed horizon. The
principal building is a rotunda forty-five feet in diameter, and contains the
great Clark refractor of twenty-six inches aperture. The building and
instrument are the gift of Leander J. McCormick, Esq., of Chicago. The

computing rooms are adjoining, and contain clock, chronograph, etc., and
a working library. In a smaller building are a three-inch Fauth transit
and a four-inch Kahler equatorial.

A temporary Students' Observatory has been recently erected in the
rear of Dawson's Row, and is intended more especially for the use of
students in Course 1B.