PREFACE

In the Handbook for 1939, which is the thirty-first issue, numerous changes have been made. By giving the times of sunrise and sunset for every second day, although additional latitudes have been included, there has been a saving of six pages of space. This has allowed the inclusion of times of beginning and ending of twilight, of ephemerides of Saturn’s satellites and of the brighter asteroids, the extension of information on Meteors and Occultations, and the insertion of a table of miscellaneous Astronomical Data. The table of Satellites has also been revised. It was hoped to revise the table of The Brightest Stars, but circumstances prevented it this year.

The small star maps at the back necessarily contain only a few objects. Four similar maps 9 inches in diameter are obtainable from the Director of University Extension, University of Toronto, for one cent each. Observers desiring fuller information are recommended to obtain Norton’s Star Atlas and Reference Handbook (Gall and Inglis, price 12s 6d; supplied also by Eastern Science Supply Co., Boston). The sixth edition contains late information. The changes enumerated have been possible through the help of Dr. F. S. Hogg who is now Assistant Editor. Cordial thanks are tendered to all who assisted but especially to Miss Ruth J. Northcott, M.A., of the David Dunlap Observatory.

C. A. Chant.
David Dunlap Observatory,
Richmond Hill, Ont., December 1938.