New-York tribune., 1841-11-09

or tn' lFlDuEc.
November 3ictsors.
For several years past, the flight through the
heavens of great number Of MetcorS, or shooting
stars, they more generally termed, annually
on the night of the 18th and 18th of November,
has particularly engaged the sttenrion of astrono-
mers; while the mystery in which they have been
involved, has enlisted degree OF attention among
all classes. Were their appearance not marked
by periodical return, an attempt to rendera
t>facterv explanation of their origin, would bs
sufficient inducemcnt to take more ihsn passing
notice of such an interesting class of vSjiers. But
now when their periodicty ha, been placed be-
vond doubt we need not wonder that they have
engaged the attention of men of science through
out the world.
le the extraordinary shower of 1883, which
must still be fresh in the minds OF thousands. we
are indebted for the Investigations, from which we
derive the comparatively little Information we
possess respecting these bodies. The vast extent
Of country over which this shower extended en-
bracing the greater portion of North America and
The numerous accounts of 1t, with winch the Jour
nais Of the day toemed, renders more than cur
sorry reference to ii at present unnecessary. twill
be sufficient state, that the mecOrs continued
falling from early hour ON the evening IT the
H. Till sunrise on the following morning pst
close to further obse vatons-ihat lhey were of
the most brilliant kiud-and that their number de-
fed computation. a faint idea OF the magnificent
scene may be obtained, by imagining luminous
snow storm driving across the face OF the heavens.
Previou, 10 this, lind several similar displays
on record one that was Witnessed at Cunana, IN
South America in 1893, by Humboldt, would seem
almost to rival that of '33 in spendoer. Farther
r,ubi
of fire. bu, unfortunately fiom their not having
been observed with an eye future scientific en-
curry. the period of the year, in which they occur
red cannot be asccrtaincd for in these ages OF
darkness. and superstition, they were regarded ra-
ther as prodses. and signs in the heavens, prcsa-
ging some dire calamity 10 nations. Than as some
thing subject to the beautiful and mmutbble laws of
nature When public attention became reused
upon this subject, it wa, discovered that this phe-
nomenon had also been witnessed IN 1881 and
1882 the former year in Arabia, aud the later
upon tie A,2ntic. Since this period they have
rccurrcd regularly, at ;heir appointed season UP TO
lie present time, although each Succeeding ami
versary has witnessed less splendid display from
which VIC may infer that they generally dying
away, not appear again in their former splendor
for many years.
Beside The November display. it appears that
there are some other periods OF the year IN which
meteors are usually abundant. Upon the nights
of the Sth, Oh, and 10Th Of August, they arc found
to be far beyond their average number and 10 bear
20 close resemblance to those OF November, Il
l. leave no doubt of their common origin. Atten-
tion Is also being directed the months of Janua-
~ and June as there exists & probability, that
some portions of these meteors not Yet ascertain
ed, are favorable te rnctceric display
A characteristic which distinguishes these me
tesrs from those which may be seen al all seasons
OF the year. Is that they radiate from one Peint IN
the heavens, situated in the constellation Leo va
rvns very litte in position, they several years IN
which they have been observed. Although they
do no; all seem TO commence their Hight at that
point still, with very few exceptions, they pursue
courses, which If prolonged backward, would pass
through the raciant. Another peculiarly Is, that
the majority leave behind them luminous trains,
usually o; whitish ligh,, but sometimes OF Prs-
ma;ic coors, which remain visible Tor space OF
lime. VARYING from few seconds. 10 seyera! MI
nures TIE meteors themselves. would seem to
differ from the ordinary ones THAI belong TO no par
ticular season Many OF them subtend visible
discs, rivailing the planets IN size ana or!!iahcy
AID # we credit SEINE accounts, even the Moon
itself. The most numerous class, are apparently
mere points ef fire, seeming while in motion. like
|
aIIy sees. luminous bodies Of irregular form, which
move slowly, remain for a long time visible and
are often OF great extent.
From the numerous observations that have
been made upon these bodies, the following con
| clu>ions have been drawn That they ara not OF
terrestrial formation, but have their stig'n from
beyond our atmosphere; that they are light and
combustibie bodies; ,hst the Iapidlty with which
th,y enter our stlnss ehere sometimes great q,
four miles per second, evolves sufficient degree
of heat to consume them before they reach The
Earth Fer this insight into their nature, and ioF
tie following theory respecting them, the world OF
science is indebted TO Professor On1stead OF ale
College. whose assiduiiy in the collection and re'
ductjon Of so many rude aud often contradictory
,,s.rya,;ens as were requisite for ,aeir formation
worthy the hghs5 praise ss. ,.iss.a a, 9'S5y ,sy ~'l
ie" tFllnS q4aH'.fF .bsJ F,encb Philosopher. NJ
',T ar,.o and the appreciation Of many Others
almost equal scientific celebrity 1t is as follows