The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-26
The Comet


The Comet
MI. W. G. Bond, Of the Cambridge Observatory,
wrote to the Boston 1rareler on the 10Th inst, as
follows -
"The comet discovered on the 10th Of June, by NJ,
Klinkerfues, is now visible to the naked eye, in the
west, ut about an hour after sunset Its nucleus is
OF the brightness OF star OF the third magnitude
tail OF one or two degrees in length can also be ais
uDgushed, extending upward. This Interesting OBJ
ec has been observed by astronomers for one or two
months past, during which time it has been gradu-
ally increasing in brightness. Its distance from the
sun Is now thirty millions OF mi es; but from the
earth it Is two or three times more remote"
Mr. John jackson, Of the Sharon Female Semi
nary, under date OF the 22nd inst, says" A comet
is now visible to the naked eye, and may be seen
IN the northwestern part OF the heavens till o'clock
in the evening It was observed last evening through
the nine foot telescope of Sharon observatory and
presented large and beautifully defined disc, with
broad tail Of great brancy. The frequent Interrupt
tens from clouds prevented accurate observations,
but at O'Clock, p. NJ, meantime, its approximate
dec. was u deg. 10 sec. NJ and right ascension IL
hours 80 sec. 1t is about liz deg. due north from
the bright star Beta Leonis and may be readily dis
tneuished, as it appears like star of the second or
third magnitude. An ordinary spy-glass makes it
quite distinct With the telescope Il rs an object Of
| great beauty
A correspondent at the uaverford Observatory,
| says:-s Happening to be in company with several
| Othcra III the Observatory OF Havcrsord School, On
the evening Of the Goth instant our attention was
called by q lady who was present 10 what appeared
to her comet i'll the northwestern part Of the hea-
vens, near the horizon. The train was distinctly
visible, extending in nearly vertical direction, and
as SC en- by the naked eye about one degree in length
Ondirectng the noble telescope of the observatory
to This Interesting object, no doubt remained Of It's
conetary character. The train was well defined, OF
paraIoiic form, enyelopng the nucleus which was
situated at the focus Of the curve. The comet Was
so The horizon, when first noticed, as not to
allow time for taking any measurement Of ts posi-
ton
Thn n.p,, rr tt,a .,u1
says" comet was observed by some OF our citi-
zeps on Sunday ening, about 8 O'clock, some ten
or fifteen degrees above the horizon, ia the north
western quarter Of the heavens. II is presumed to
be the same one described by Lieutenant Minor, "a
Observed by Mr.. Ferguson on July 18th, which he
said would probably be visible to the naked eye on
clear night, and is the one discovered at C0ttingen
On the 10th OF JMc last, by MIR. Klinkerfues.n
| Portland (Me.) papers notice the appearance Of
comet on Friday evening, in the west, within few
degrees of the horizon. II distinct 10 the naked
eye, and sported long tail. 1t was said 10 rcsem
| Bile the celebrated comet OF loll-12.
! The comet was also seen 1T Burlington, Vermont.
will probably become brighter till it passes It's peri
heion, alter which il viii be lost in the light OF the
| sun.
The Richmond Eaqp'fcr, &c the 22d instant, says
Last evening at eight O'Clock, comet was to be
seen in the west, at altitude Of about twenty de-
erees. What this proguosticates, either for good
| for evil we leave Tor others, more wise than
| selves, to determine.
The Providence Post Of the 18th inst. says:--
| The comet which is now to be seen in tho heavens
does not appear anywhere to have produced alarm,
| as carrying war and pestilcnce in its train. The
people rational enough TO ascribe these to tker
right causes-a pescncc to filthy streets and houses,
| ard war generally to the ambition OF despot like
! Nicholas. Such phenomenon, which once would
alarm the great family Of man, is now regarded as
natural event, much the rising OF the great
globe OF heat ard light which Affords lie to yegeta-
| ton aud to the animated creation. An these won
! derful phenomena obey great natural law, based
upon snch simple and exact principles that even hu-
1 man science can predict their periodical return.
comet created greet fear some twenty Eve thirty
years ago. when was feared that its tale would u-
| fold in sueh a manner az to sweep the world, and
destroy, perhaps, all Life existing upon ii, The ifs
Of Swans tended not little 10 alarm TIE ignorant,
but happily the great comet strcancd of with its
icry train, leaving Grscathed trembling world.
| How such phenomenon was viewed ia olaen times,
10y even the mag Dstes OF the and is exhibited in the
following from the Worcester Spy. At present We
may become comet gazers without fear Of being con-
sined in the nebne OF fire. which wc can observe at
the distance OF perhaps 100000 600 OF miles,
"ReCeatiy, in looking over the Old Colony records,
in the state hbr9ry we fond an order in council OF
the Cd OF May, 1865, setting apart the 9Th Of June
as dag Of solemn fasting and prayer, AID one Of
the cases Inducing thereto vas stated 70 be the
alarm from Heaven, given gs Ia the awful appear.
Gnce OK the comets, 10th this and the .a,t year.
Indeed, we believe i Was rot uncommon in those
days to make the Appearance Of comets occasion
for special religious services, "a order 10 avert the
evils they threatened"