The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-19
THE GREAT COMEr COME ATLAsr

THE GREAT COMET CONE AT LAST.
We learn from our dispatches by the Arago that
the great comet of Charles ". as it sometimes call
ed, but better known to astronomers as that Of
fabrlclus, has at last made its appearance and will
very shortly be visible to the naked eve It has
been seen from the Paris Observatory through its
telescopes, and is pronounced by Arago the genu-
inc article. sharp look out for it has been
kept up Tor year or two past by the Euro
pean comet seekers. 1t is not vet known whether
1T will appear as it once did, like a very large
and bright star, or with tail 100 degrees in
drous tale unfold" The first appearance was in 2Gi
and its disappearance took place the ID of October
of that year, the day which Popc Urban "
died, as the world thought in strange coincidence
In 1906 1t rc-appearcd and was observed by Pau Fa
bricius, astronomer to Charles v. who executed a
map of its path, which published in November
OF that year. The Emperor considered it as a spc-
clal omen OF his own approaching death: but he
lived tor some years afterwards. 1t was then de
scrlbed as great and brilliant star It's course was
Through Virgo and Bootes. past the pole of the
heavens into Cepheus and Cassopea" The Gel
eorated Doctor HALEY calculated its elements
more than century afterwards, and several
others after him. The calculations of Mr.
Bomme OF Middleburg, of the Netherlands of
recent date, are more precise and are generally
supposed to be more reliable than those Of his pre-
decessors. This astronomer finally came to the
conclusion that in the year 1861 its epse had a
period of no. 6I4 DAYS, 302 g22 years cypcditrd
by planetary disturbances by 4,077 days, and that
II
3OSl69 years Its present revolution he calculated
would be shortened by pcrturbatiOnS l0.IS wears
and the comet should reach its perihclion about the
I'd of August, 1855
Mr.. Hind, the great English astronomer docs not
or did not entirely coincide with NJ. Bommc. He
wrote to Professor Littrow, director of the Observ-
atoTy at Vienna, urging him to search for the
original chart of Fabricius. This was ACCOMPLISHED
after considerable cxertion THROUGH the medium of
the newspapers and with it was obtained very nm
eXpectedy from the ducal libraries at Wolfenbuttal
and Gotha, descriptive treatise bv the Nuremlsurp
astronomer, Joachim Heller, who had observed
this very comet for iifty-three days-a much
longer time than Fabricius had taken for
ms observations. Thus more complete
elementary series obtained. Mr.. Hind
thereupon modified his own views concudinr that
the comet would hasten its return, for several rea-
sons of an astronomical nature. and that its re-an
Pearance was near at hand. This then, is hemonth
during which the comet ofPope Urban and Charles
should properly make its appearance ACCORDING
to our latest advices we have already mentioned
1t has appeared to the French observers
and VIII soon be visible to us, with its long
tan, II 1t has not dropped off in its last jour
ney. 1t Is rather an unfortunate crcum-
stance that the troubles in the Albany Dudley OBJ
seryatory have occurred at interesting moment,
and when every astronomical eve is looking care
fully into the heavens. Here is a splendid chance
about to be lost by Dutch observers. Perhaps
the trustees themselves sufficiently accomplished
to undertake the work of observation, if DIR. Could
as they nsnuate is not In that case, if Mr. OlcOtt
takes the comet seeker in hand, the Doctor, by way
of reciprocity might employ himself in doing a
little dscOunting for Mr.. Olcotts customers giving
preference to astronomical borrowers who are
generally poorly the way of encouragement to
science. The Smithsonian and the Coast Survey
might slip in for accommodation also not beinir
known ever to have had too much bestowed on
them to suit the employees; and, instead of Mr. Of
colts having had little contemplate Down East
comet named after him-contrary to the rule OF
astronomers may come in and share in the eff
fulgence of the great wonder which is now tearing
on through the skies. In the records of the Dudley
Observatory the entry would be
"lS5S. Aug. Discovered by President Olcott,
of the Mechanics and Farmers Bank. Identical
with the comet of Urban " and Charles V. Tobe
hereafter called the Olcott comet Orbit hyperbol-
ical."-N. York Herald