The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-03-30


length, i was computed 70 equal 3
third part or the distance 10 DE earth
rom the sun. Its tail was Visible Cor
long time after iis body was beneath
the horizon, and extended 90 deg. Of
80 deg. above the horizon, 2 hours be-
fore sunrise. Another comet appear
Cd 10 June, 1770, and was visible for
long time. Lexell ascertained that
il described an elipse around the sun,
Of which the greatest axis was only |
three time the daimler ofthe earth or
Bit Although frequently looked for,
Il has not since been seen.
Encke's Comet was discovered At
Marseilles, Nov 9th 1917. Eneke as
certained that il took only 1900 days
to travel through the whole extent OF
its elliptic orbit. Ii re-appeared IN
| 1928, '32, 35 and '3s, and occupied
the places assigned by the astronomer
whose name il bears. Il is very small
lie light is feeble, and it has no tail.
Gambart's Connect makes its entire rev.
olulion round the sun in about 7 years
Il was predicted that Il would cross
the plane Of the earth's orbit, on the
2Oth October, 1889, a little before
midnight al a point about is, 4s0
miles within the orbit Of the earth. Il
actually made its appearance about the
time specified, and created great alarm.
Arago published a statement at the
time to allay popular fear, showing that
on the % OF Oct. 1882, a portion Of the
earih's orbit might be included within
the nebulosily, Of the comet, but that
the Comet would not arrive at the same
point ofits orbit, until the morning Of the
| 30th ofNovember, or more than a month
after, and that consequently the earth
would be $4,000, 900 Of British miles
distant from the Comet. He adds
that "if the Comet, instead Of crossing
the plane Of the ecliplic on the 29th Of
| October, had not arrived there until
the merning Of the 30h November, it
would undoubtedly mingle its atmos-
phers with ours, and perhaps even
have struck US" The earth is consid-
cred in more danger, il danger their
be, from this comet and that Of Encke,
than from any other Encke's comet
crosses the orbit Of tie earth 60 times
in the course Of century. The COM
ct Of 1907, was visible 10 the evening,
and appeared TO the naked eye, like a
dim uebulous star, with a beam oflight
on one side OF il.
The comet Of 1911 is regarded as
the most remarkable Of modern times,
The nucleus was $4,000 miles in
diameter, and il was visible 10 the ma
ked eye for more Than three months in
succession. The greatest length Of
, the tail on the 18th Of October, is esti-
mated at $50, 600 yearsl Halley's com
J ct was seen for the last time IN 1885.
I II was visible to the naked eye, and
the utmost extent Of the tail was esti-
mated 10 be about thirty degrees in
length.--Coruscations were observed
in the tail, The appearance Of this
comet, says Dick, so near the time
predicted by astronomers, and in a
J position so nearly agreeing with those
t which were previously calculated,
shews that comets in general are per-
manent bodies connected with the So
lar system, and that no very consider
able change in their constitution takes
place while lrayersing the distant parts
oflheir orbits. We cannot better con-
clude our article than ia giving some
remarks on the influence Of cometsi
from the pen Of professor Dick.
"In all the works Of the Diety, we
must admit that bis goodness is display
although We may not be able to trace
the mode offs communication ; for we
may lay down as an axiom, that what
ever wisdom and omnipolence are ex'
hibited throughout the Divine econo-
my, there is delay Of 5ensfocnee, which
, appears 10 be one prominent design o.
al the works Of God, Comets have
been considered as objects Of terror
and as omens Of independing calami-
ties 4; but there can be no question thai
they are as intimately connected with
a system Of beneyolence, as are the Sc
lor radialions and their benign infu-
ence on our globe and on the othel
planets. Il has to the other planets
and inviporale the vital principle oI
our aimosA here; that they may recruit
the sun with fresh fuel and repair the
consumption Of bis light f; or that they
{ may be the agents for dispensing The
+ electa,s fluid through the planetary re-
T gions aud although there is little pro
liability that such conjectures are &C.
cordanl with facts, yet it may be ad'
mitted that comets may produce {
physical physical influence Of a ben.
r e6cial nature throughout the solar sys
: tem.--
Bot what | conceive 10 be one Of th'
main designs Of the Creator in the for
al