For myself, I have a great difficulty in forming an
opinion. I have very little doubt that the spots are depressions
on the surface of the sun. This is more apparent when the spot
is on the limb. I have often seen the edge very rugged and
uneven when groups of large spots were about to come round on the
east side. I have communicated some of my observations to 'The
Observatory,' the monthly review of astronomy, edited by Mr.
Christie, now Astronomer Royal,[2] as well as to The Scotsmam,
and some of our local papers.[3]
"I have also taken up the observation of variable stars in a
limited portion of the heavens. That, and 'hunting for comets'
is about all the real astronomical work that an amateur can do
nowadays in our climate, with a three-inch telescope. I am
greatly indebted to the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, who
regularly sends me circulars of all astronomical discoveries,
both in this and foreign countries. I will give an instance of
the usefulness of these circulars. On the morning of the 4th of
October, 1880, a comet was discovered by Hartwig, of Strasburg,
in the constellation of Corona. He telegraphed it to Dunecht
Observatory, fifteen miles from Aberdeen. The circulars
announcing the discovery were printed and despatched by post to
various astronomers. My circular reached me by 7 P.M., and, the
night being favourable, I directed my telescope upon the part of
the heavens indicated, and found the comet almost at once--that
is, within fifteen hours of the date of its discovery at
Strasburg.
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