Specific Heat of Xenon Near the Critical Point

We report measurements of the specific heat of xenon near the critical point. Good accuracy and temperature resolution are achieved with a semiautomatic system permitting direct recording of the heat capacity. From analysis of the results allowing for the effects of gravity, we conclude a value for the exponent $\alpha$ of about 0.08, although a value between 0 and $\frac{1}{8}$ cannot be ruled out. A symmetric logarithm is not consistent with the results.