He enrolled at Johns Hopkins University, where he pursued graduate studies under the direction of Professor Joseph Sweetman Ames, on the Absorption and Emission Spectra of Neodymium and Erbium Compounds.
He continued research on absorption and emission spectra and “was requested to take charge of the ruling engine constructed by Henry Rowland, the great American pioneer in spectroscopy.
In 1912 at the request of George E. Hale he took a one year leave of absence from Johns Hopkins to supervise and assist with the construction of a large ruling engine at the Mt.
His most notable contribution was his adaptation of the Michelson's interferometer technique for measuring close double stars.
[3] In 1928 after the California Institute of Technology received funds for the building of the 200-inch Palomar telescope he was asked by Hale to serve as executive officer of the newly formed Observatory Council, whose charge was to oversee all aspects of the project.