Notes from Abroad

The Royal Greenwich Observatory, which has marked the prime meridian since 1884, has fallen victim to civilization and, early next year, will be moved to a haunted castle at longitude $\text{20′25″}$ East. This step is necessary because of the London smoke and fog, which have become so severe as to limit the observations that can be made from the old site at Greenwich. Hurstmonceux Castle, the new location, is about sixty miles southeast of London, dates from the fifteenth century, and is complete with moat, ghost, and 45 000 square feet of ground plan. The historic Airy transit, through which zero longitude passes by definition, is to remain on exhibit at Greenwich although all of the other instruments will be moved. A new 100‐inch reflecting telescope, scheduled for completion in 1957, will also be installed at Hurstmonceux.

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