Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1843-04-01

i"ese Coihciuehces fehuefeu tne iueNtiiy OF the
come, almos: absolutely certain. Hence HALEY
predicted its in the end ofl75S or the begin
ing of 1859. Iiappeared about the end of Dccem-
Der 1889, and made its approach 10 the sun
on the 18Th OF Marsh 1859, diffeing not many
days from the time expected. Again i, made its
appearance, as predicted, a, the completion of its
period toward the end of August, 1885.
Though there can be no doubt ef the identity Of
the of 1881, 1907, 1852, 1883, and 1895,
the appearances were considerably different In
1881 the comet was of bright gold color; in
1907, il was dark and livid it was bright again in
1852; and obscure in 1883
The mean distance OF This comet from the sun is
about eighteen times that OF the earth, but in con-
sequence ofthe great eccen,fciiy of it's orbit, its
distance, when at the farther extremity OF its
greater axis, is nearly double that of Uapus, the
most distant ofthe planets. When neares, 10 the
the ear,h's mean distance.
A very remarkable comet, was seen in the end
of 1850 and beginning of 1851. Its tail extended
20 degrees and was very brilliant. This comet, Of
all those which have been observed, approaches
nearest to the sun. Descending with immense We
lociy in path almost perpendicular To his surface,
it proceeded until its distance from his centre
was only about 900 miles. Sir Isaac Newton
computed that, in consequence OF so near Al APP
| proach 10 the sun, it must have received heat
1000 times greater than that of iron almost going
into fusion; and that if il was equal i'll magnitude
I al iad in, n,an "a
terrestrial bodies, its heat would not be expended
in less than $4,000 years.
Three observations on comets are recorded in
history, agreeing in remarkable circumstances with
! the comet of 1885, IN the 4ith year before
Christ: another in the consulate OF Lcmpadius and
o, estes, abou, the year of Christ 53l; and the
third in the reign of Henry I, Of England, in the
year HOG. These dates nearly at equal dis
,ances oftime, namely SIS years; which is also
the period between HOG and 1851. Hence Dr.
HALEY conectuiod that these might be successive
appearances of one and the comet revolving
about the sun in the period of about SIS years
III this conjecture is well foundl a., this comet may
be expected again after finishing the period,
about the year 2255.
| a comet remarkable for its beauty apparel in
| 1911. The tail OF this comet wascomposed oftwo
diverg,ng streams of fain, light slightly colored,
which made an angle of from Is to 20 degrees and
sometimes much more, and were bent outwards.--
The space between comparatively OBSCURE
When' al its greatest length, the tail subended
at anglo Of at ienst l6 degrees ; and was
then computed to extend about $4,000 900 miles
III length.
Besides DR.. TIalley's comet there are two others
whose returns have been observed and the elements
of their orbits determined with such certainty, as
TO enable astronomers TO predict their re-appsar-
ancc. One OF these was recognized for the first
time ia 1919 as periodic comet. Enckc, Ger
man astronomer, has determined the time Of its
revolution about the sun TO be thee years and
three months nearly. The other was last seen in
| 1892. lis periodic time was determined by Bella
a Bohemian astronomer, TO be six yeals aud three
quarters Altogether, then, there are only thec
comets whose periods are certainly known.
Danger Of Comets.-As the comets transverse
the planetary regions in all directions, it is natu-
raj to inquire whether there is not possibility
tina, some one Of them may approach so TO
the earth greatly to disturb its motion, or by all
actual contact To produce the most disastrous ef.
fects Upon this subject there is no reasonable
ground for fear. II is not absolutely Impossible
that comet may come in contact with the earth,
the probabilities against such event happening
are as millions to one. Among bodies so small in
/ -.
move, and moving with all vcIociies, and in orbits
that are Inclined in all directions, and are Of all
dime nsions, how small must be the probability that
any two shall come ia contact Small however,
az this probability is for any age, il we take
into accounta long series of ages, the probability
may be gre ally increased.
five suppose the earth actually to receive such
shock, il is easy to imagine the calamiioUs con-
sequen ces which mus, follow. The axis and mo-
ton OF rotation being changed, the waters of the
ocean wouldIeave their ancient position, aud would
be precpta,ed towards the new equator A great
part Of the human racs, and the lower animals,
would be drowned by the universal delUge, or de-
stroyed by the violent shock impressed on the ter
resirial globe. Whole species Of animals might
be annihilaieh- AL the monuments of human in
dustry and invention would be overthrow. In
such catastrophe we find, too, cause adequate
/ 10 account for the ocean having oYerHowed lofty
mountains on which it has left incontestibie evil
dence Of its presence; and TO explain how the an
| finals and plants Of the soui! may have existed 10
the climates Of the north, where we find tina re
remains and impressions of them. Lastly, such