Edited by C.A. Chant.

Eighteenth Year of Publication.

PREFACE

The Handbook for 1926 is similar to that for 1925, which was somewhat larger than those issued for some years before that date. The increase consisted chiefly in a comprehensive table embodying the most important information known regarding 260 of the brightest stars. This table was prepared by Mr. W. E. Harper of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, B.C. As in past years, Mr. R. M. Motherwell, of the Dominion Observatory, Ottawa, supplies the list of stars occulted by the Moon.

Descriptions of the constellations and also star maps are not included, since fuller information is available in a better form and at a reasonable price in many publications, such as: Young’s Uranography (72 c.), Norton’s Star Atlas and Telescopic Handbook (10s. 6d.), Olcott’s A Field-book of the Stars ($1.50), or McKready’s A Beginner's Star Book ($5.00).

In the preparation of this Handbook the Editor has been assisted by the two gentlemen named above, by Mr. J. A. Pearce, M.A., of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory; Mr. J. H. Horning, M.A., of Toronto; and his colleague, Dr. R. K. Young, of the University of Toronto.

The times of the minima of Algol are based upon an observation of Stebbins, J.D. 2422619.7866 (Ap. J., vol. 53, 1921), together with Hellerick’s period of 2.86731077 days (A.N., vol. 209, p. 227, 1919). As a check on Chandler’s formula, consider two observations:
1. Stebbins (photometer), J.D. 2422619,7866.
        C–S= +0.1198 days = 2h 52m 36s.
2. Pearce (visual), J.D. 2423310.8146±0.0010.
        C–P = +0.1175 days = 2h 49m 17s.
Chandler’s formula should be corrected by –2h 50m.

Toronto, December, 1925.         The Editor.