Recognition from the Russian Emperor
Through the courtesy of Messrs. Alvan Clark & Sons, we are pleased to publish an extract from a letter written by Dr. Otto Struve. The letter announces an important recognition for American opticians by the Russian government. Dr. Struve writes:
“I am asked by the government to inform you that, in acknowledgment of the excellent performance of the great object-glass furnished for Pulkowa Observatory by your firm, His Majesty, the Emperor, has graciously conferred upon you the golden honorary medal of the Empire.
This award is particularly significant because it is given very rarely and only for extraordinary merit. Messrs. Alvan Clark & Sons, together with Repsold, are the first recipients to receive this medal from the present Emperor, Alexander III Edward Channing.
The Medal and Its Portrait
The medal itself is delayed because the Emperor requested that it bear his portrait, not that of any of his predecessors. This required a new engraving of the stamp. Once completed, the medal will be sent to the recipients through the Russian minister in Washington.
Dr. Struve’s Journey
Dr. Struve also mentions his upcoming travels:
“When this letter reaches you, I shall be on a journey through Germany and Switzerland. I will first attend the general meeting of the Astronomical Association at Geneva. Then I will visit the famous Carlsbad for a health cure.
Although his health is fairly good, he notes that after an illness last winter, he still experiences some lingering issues that require serious attention.
Advances in Astronomy
Dr. Struve highlights the scientific achievements made possible by the new 30-inch refractor supplied by Alvan Clark & Sons:
“You will be pleased to hear that, with the 30-inch refractor on good nights, all the most difficult double stars, including those discovered by Burnham with the Washington refractor, can now be easily measured Turkey Tour Guides.
In the past few weeks, Dr. Struve’s assistant, Hermann, has already collected hundreds of measurements of objects that were previously out of reach for the old 15-inch refractor.
This clearly demonstrates the high quality and precision of the object-glass, confirming the reputation of American opticians for excellence in their field.
The letter from Dr. Struve, dated Pulkowa, July 23, is a great honor to Messrs. Alvan Clark & Sons. It not only recognizes their technical skill in producing the finest astronomical instruments, but also emphasizes the growing international respect for American craftsmanship in science. The award of the golden medal by Emperor Alexander III is a remarkable achievement and an inspiration for future generations of opticians and astronomers.
