THE PIC DU MIDI OBSERVATORY

Abstract

IN a recent number of La Nature, M. L. Rudaux gave an interesting account of the present condition and operations of this important mountain station. France is well provided with high level stations, and the observations from seven of them are published daily in the Bulletin International of the French Meteorological Office. An account of the very favourable position of the Pic du Midi station, and of the almost insuperable difficulties experienced by its original founder, General de Nansouty, was given, in considerable detail, by M. R. Radau, in his useful little work on “Mountain Observatories” (Paris, 1876), and has been summarised by Mr. A. L. Rotch in the American Meteorological Journal. The summit, which has. an elevation of 2877 metres (the observatory being 17 metres lower), is situated on the outskirts of the Pyrenees, in lat. 42° 56′ N., and long. 2° 12′ W. of Paris, and affords one of the finest views in Europe. Towards the north an immense plain stretches as far as the eye can see, and to the north-west, on very clear days, the blue waters of the Atlantic are visible, at a distance of 160 km. It lies directly in the path of the great atmospheric disturbances which traverse the Bay of Biscay, while the summit mostly enjoys a clear and luminous atmosphere, being some 200 metres above the level at which thunderstorm clouds usually gather. These advantages early attracted the attention of astronomers and scientific men; M. F. de Plantade died in 1741 while observing at the ridge which has since taken his name.