(d) Large widths of emission lines indicate large expanding motion of the
atmospheres.
(e) Emission lines of hydrogen, helium, and calcium resemble those of solar prominence, suggesting the similarity of nova explosions with the prominence activities of the Sun.
From these behaviors Yamamoto conjectured that nova phenomena would be a
tremendous gas outburst on a stellar surface, with velocity increasing to as high as
1000–2000 km s
À1 or above.
4.1.2 Observations in USA
Yamamoto was sent to the USA and Europe by the government in 1922–1925. He
enjoyed the journey with his wife and submitted his everyday diary to a magazine,
Tenkai (天界, The Heavens), in some detail (Yamamoto 1922–1925).
In September 1922, the Yamamotos arrived at the Yerkes Observatory, welcomed
by Director Edwin B. Frost, much like with Ichinohe Naozo in 1905.
When Yamamoto arrived, Yerkes Observatory was celebrating its 25th anniversary, and many special events were being held. This observatory was founded in
1897, as a first-generation modern observatory for astrophysical observations, like
the Lick Observatory, established in 1888. The main instruments of the Yerkes
Observatory were a 40-inch (102-cm) refractor and a 24-inch (61-cm) reflector. In
the same year, a twin Bruce telescope (10- and 6.5-inch, or 25- and 12-cm) was
added with the funds of Catherine Bruce of New York City. The main research staff
at the time of Yamamoto’s visit at Yerkes were E. B. Frost, Edwin E. Barnard, and
G. Van Biesbroeck.
Yamamoto’s work at the observatory was to get accustomed to the technique of
photographic observations. He joined the group of Van Biesbroeck in the photographic search for faint asteroids. They measured asteroids on the accumulated
photographic plates taken with the 24-inch reflector, and in 1922 they found five
new asteroids of 15–16 magnitudes, which were the faintest ones at that time (Van
Biesbroeck et al. 1923).
He also studied photographic techniques under Barnard throughout his stay.
Barnard was not only a man of devoted to astronomical observations throughout
his life; he was also a gentleman with grace and charm.
One day the Yamamotos were invited to the home of Barnard, who was in the
latest stage of his life. On this visit Yamamoto wrote:
He [Barnard] welcomed us with a face beaming with joy. He offered us chairs and a
beverage. Feeding the fireplace, playing a phonograph, showing pictures and photos, he
expressed his gentle welcome though in a piteous plight. We were entirely overwhelmed
with gratitude.
84
4 Astronomy in Early Showa. II. Kyoto 1926–1945
atmospheres.
(e) Emission lines of hydrogen, helium, and calcium resemble those of solar prominence, suggesting the similarity of nova explosions with the prominence activities of the Sun.
From these behaviors Yamamoto conjectured that nova phenomena would be a
tremendous gas outburst on a stellar surface, with velocity increasing to as high as
1000–2000 km s
À1 or above.
4.1.2 Observations in USA
Yamamoto was sent to the USA and Europe by the government in 1922–1925. He
enjoyed the journey with his wife and submitted his everyday diary to a magazine,
Tenkai (天界, The Heavens), in some detail (Yamamoto 1922–1925).
In September 1922, the Yamamotos arrived at the Yerkes Observatory, welcomed
by Director Edwin B. Frost, much like with Ichinohe Naozo in 1905.
When Yamamoto arrived, Yerkes Observatory was celebrating its 25th anniversary, and many special events were being held. This observatory was founded in
1897, as a first-generation modern observatory for astrophysical observations, like
the Lick Observatory, established in 1888. The main instruments of the Yerkes
Observatory were a 40-inch (102-cm) refractor and a 24-inch (61-cm) reflector. In
the same year, a twin Bruce telescope (10- and 6.5-inch, or 25- and 12-cm) was
added with the funds of Catherine Bruce of New York City. The main research staff
at the time of Yamamoto’s visit at Yerkes were E. B. Frost, Edwin E. Barnard, and
G. Van Biesbroeck.
Yamamoto’s work at the observatory was to get accustomed to the technique of
photographic observations. He joined the group of Van Biesbroeck in the photographic search for faint asteroids. They measured asteroids on the accumulated
photographic plates taken with the 24-inch reflector, and in 1922 they found five
new asteroids of 15–16 magnitudes, which were the faintest ones at that time (Van
Biesbroeck et al. 1923).
He also studied photographic techniques under Barnard throughout his stay.
Barnard was not only a man of devoted to astronomical observations throughout
his life; he was also a gentleman with grace and charm.
One day the Yamamotos were invited to the home of Barnard, who was in the
latest stage of his life. On this visit Yamamoto wrote:
He [Barnard] welcomed us with a face beaming with joy. He offered us chairs and a
beverage. Feeding the fireplace, playing a phonograph, showing pictures and photos, he
expressed his gentle welcome though in a piteous plight. We were entirely overwhelmed
with gratitude.
84
4 Astronomy in Early Showa. II. Kyoto 1926–1945