Arbeiten aus dem Bereich, des Instituts 
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biological research in the Central North Atlantic Ocean was carried out. 
In the North Sea, geomagnetic, gravimetric and seismic investigations 
were undertaken in cooperation with the "Bundesanstalt für Bodenforschung" 
within the compass of a plan agreed upon between the Ministry of Transport 
and the Ministry of Economy. Moreover, as a joint action with the "Marschen 
bauamt Husum" paddle-wheel current meters were laid out at 20 stations in 
the area between the isles of Sylt, Böhr and Amrum. The processing of these 
observations as well as those made on German light-vessels was commenced. 
Oceanographic, geomagnetic and geological contributions were supplied for 
nautical publications and for charts (southern Baltic, Baltic Entrances, 
Skagerrak and Kattegat, Indian Ocean). Preparations in connection with the 
establishment of a service for the supervision of radio-active substances 
in the sea-water, with which the G.H.I. has been entrusted, are in the 
initial stage. 
The Tide-Tables were again extended; Volume II of the year 1959 contains 
once again for the first time predictions for the eastern part of the 
Indian Ocean and for Australia. Thus this volume gives information now on 
the tides of the whole Atlantic and Indian Ocean. A repeated request has 
therewith been met. But to' go beyond the present extent, the monetary means 
and the personnel available do not permit. 
The new methods for analyzing and predicting the Tides developed during 
the last decennium at the G.H.I. gradually begin to attract attention with 
following imitation also abroad. 
It will be the aim of international discussions in 1959 and I960 to 
limit, and standardize, the great number of systems of radio aids to 
navigation and to aviation. Specialists of the "Ausschuss für Funkortung" 
and of the "Nachrichteritechnische Gesellschaft" have elaborated a detailed 
comparison of the different methods. A permanent representative of the 
G.H.I. had an active part,in this work. 
The Time Service of the G.H.I. stood under the burden of the interna 
tional survey of longitudes and latitudes during the I.G.Y., when for 18 
months a 24-hour service was carried out. Although this was primarily a 
matter of scientific concern, it should not be left unmentioned that of 
many coasts the longitudes and latitudes are not known, at least not with 
the accuracy necessary for nautical purposes. 
Astronomical determinations of the time were carried out with the new 
photographic zenit telescope and with a 90 mm transit instrument, given 
on loan by the Hamburger Sternwarte, because the 70 mm transit instrument 
of the G.H.I. wanted general repair. The results obtained by the zenit 
telescope yielded in addition- to the. time also the variable latitude due 
to the variations of the pole.