The Satellite of Procyon

Abstract

MR. J. M. BARR's suggestion (NATURE, March 28, p. 510), as to the use of photography to ascertain whether there is any close companion or satellite to Procyon, would be considered a very desirable one by astronomers, in order to set at rest the question whether a companion can actually be discovered near the assumed place of the hypothetical one, of which the elements were given by Dr. Auwers in 1861, from investigations of the irregularity in the proper motion of Procyon observed by Bessel in 1844, and by Mädler in 1851. The orbit was computed on the assumption of a circular motion in a plane perpendicular to the line of sight round a point about 1″.2 distant, having a period of about 40 years, the position angle for 1873 being about 90°, so that the present angle would be about 234°, or about 9° per annum.