Dr. Adalbert Krüger

Abstract

ASTRONOMERS in all observatories and of all nationalities will have learned with regret of the death of Dr. Krüger, the Director of the Kiel Observatory, but who, perhaps, will be more generally recalled as the editor of the Astronomische Nachrichten, and gratefully remembered for his services to that journal. From the time that Schumacher, under the auspices of the Danish Government, started the Nachrichten, no astronomical journal has proved itself so indispensable, both as a means for the publication of observations and the dissemination of astronomical knowledge, or contributed more to its advance and progress. For that large class of observations of which early publication is its greatest value, but the details of which are a weariness to most editors, the Astr. Nach. has stood unrivalled, and its general conduct has wisely preserved the broad lines on which it was originally established. And with the progress of time, as the eagerness of observers has increased with their numbers, Prof. Krüger has recognised the necessity of still more rapid means of communication, and by adding to his manifold duties that of the management of the Bureau central des dépêches astronomiques, he has made still further demands on our gratitude, for the ease and certainty with which astronomical discoveries are sent all over the globe, and made available to those who take advantage of the system he has elaborated. Prof. Förster, of Berlin, we believe, early advocated the plan which has proved itself so useful, but the details of the management have been wisely left in the hands of the Director of the Kiel Observatory.