Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-02
COMET OF ENCKE.

AT the annual meeting of the Imperial .Acade-
nv of Sciences at st. Petersburgh, December 29,
1928. notice was communicated by Nj. Strive,
on the observations of the Comet of Encke, made
in the Observatory at Dorpat, in the autumn OF
1928, with the great refracting Telescope OF that
Observatory. The remarks on the differences
which may be drawn from the observations IN re-
gard to the physical nature OF the Comet, with
which Mr.. Strives communication closes, are
highly curious and interesting.
When first seen, the comet had diameter of
between two and three minutes; yet, from Its ex-
IRENE faintness was scarcely visible. Now, as
objects shining by their own light become mvisi-
Bile, not from increasing faintness, but from re-
ducton of magnitude, it follows that Encke's CO.
met is probably IA body shining only by the re-
Elected light of the sun.
On the goth of October. the comet covered a
star of the Cloth magnitude, which passed very
near to the most luminous land therefore the dens-
est) part of the comet, without losing any portion
of its brilliancy. On the 9TH of November, star
was seen so situated as to be first mistaken tor
nucleus shining through the nebulous matter OF
the comet, until its motion discovered its real ma
ture And on the same night, another star was
covered by the comet, and passed within very
few seconds of its most luminous part, without
being in the least obscured. From these obser-
vations it appears that the comet had no solid
(opaque) nucleus. Between the beginning and
end of the month of November, the nebulous mass
of the comet had diminished in size although dur
ing that interval it had approached nearer to the
earth. although, from its increased vicinity to the
sun. its light should have increased, and conse-
quenty its extent and limits have been more
clearly visible.
The direction of the dihfused or spreading part
the tail) of the comet. was always turned rather
foyards than from the sun, offering in this re-
spect an absolutely new phenomenon.
In conclusion, NJ. Strive proposes two ques-
tons. to be solved by future observation:
Will the direction of the tail of this comet to-
wards the sun, and the dininution of its magni-
tude on approaching that powerful luminary, JUS
tfy supposition that the sun attracts to itself
portion Of the mass of this comet, which, being
thus subjected to successive diminutions, will f.
nally be absorbed altogether, and the comet cease
to exist in separate form? Or, may the dimi-
mutton in its size be attributed to concentration
of the matter of which the comet is composed
Quarterly Journal, Oct. to Dec.
This comet, which was seen last in 1928, has
a period of about three years anu three-tenths.-
National Gazette.
P,actuation.- following is an exact copy
of part of section of the bill that has passed both
Houses of the Legislature, to vest certain pow
ers in the freehoders and trustees of the village
of Waterford ssAnd it shall be lawful for such
grocer or groceries on receiving such Gcence and
giving such bond to sell strong and splrituous
liquor, to be drunk in the building in which he,
she, or they shall keep such grocery, for the
term of one year from the date of such licence."
Had the first comma been removed six words
back, so as to follow the word .'bond instead of
the word ''liquor, the operation of it might have
been to check intemperance, instead of authoris-
ing, as it now does, BY express legislative enact
ment. the grocers Of the village . to be drunk"
whole year in their resp, tive buildings
" T. Ing.