The item comprises observations made as Madras Equatorial Observations of minor planet Harmonia of its observations taken in November and December 1861 by N.R. Pogson. Harmonia (minor planet designation: 40 Harmonia) is a giant main-belt asteroid discovered in 1856.

The item comprises of observations made as Madras equatorial Observations of Europa of its discovery and observations taken by N.R. Pogson.

This item was about the discovery of 5 Asteroids (or minor planets as they were known at that time) Asia, Sappho, Sylvia, Camilla and Vera at Madras. The first was named asteroid 'Asia' as it was the first to be discovered by an observer on this continent. This page from Pogson's log book shows the first observations of Asia made on April 18th and 19th 1861.