Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-07-26

evening, a very brilliant meteor was observed
in the northwest, which passed over near the
zenith and proceeded rapidly in a southeast
direc ton. At its first appearance, it resem,
bled large globe Of fire, which in its course
left long train Of light, surrounded by bril-.
liant coruscations. like gigantic Roman can
die The train Of light was whitiSh in color,
frnged by the most delicate rainbow hues.-
It's course was in the southeast direction. .occu-
pying perhaps two minutes in passing until its
final disappearance. After the lapse OF ten
minutes, G. loud report was distinctly heard
like distant cannon or thunder. Most persons
who observed it whether sitting within or out
side of their houses were suddenly alarmed by
the brilliant light, as if the house must have
suddenly taken fire, and rushed out to have
their fears at once queted, by the sight of the
glowing meteor in the sky. Where it struck
the earth, we have been unable to learn, but if
heard from, will likely prove similar in charac-
cter to those which have descended in the
Western States during the present season.
There is so little known definitely of those
sing uar phenomena, and there are so many
conflicting theories respecting their nature,
that we can only speculate in regard to this
one, and leave scientific men to furnish the
public with correct information in regard to
it. 1t seems to have been simultaneously
visible in this vicinity, in New jersey, at New
York and along the coast Of Connecticut. 1t
is impossible to tell, at this time, just where 1t
commenced its fight, bnt probably at great
distance to the west When seen at New
York it had separated into two distinct heads
appearing Ike two wedges of brilliant flame,
one following the other base foremost, reSemb-
ling sioop's uy, as well defined in front as the
sun, and in length about eight times the SIMS
diameter, and leaving a string Of brilliant
beads so or 40 degrees in length, which grad
uaIly faded away until nothing remained but
two balls Of the body of the meteor. There is
considerable difference of opinion in regard 10
its height, some putting it half mile, and
others at only FIVE hundred feet of course, AN
observer would be easily deceived upon that
point. The sound resembling distant thunder,
heard some ten minutes after its passing IA
given point, led some observers into the error
of supposing that the meteor had struck the
earth and that the noise was caused by the
conclusion. We are of the opinion that the
meteor was a very large one-much larger than
commonly supposed by those who saw it-and
that the sound was a continuous one, produC-
ed by the tremendous velocity of so large a
body through the atmosphere, and by the re-
peated explosions along its passage. At the
distance it was supposed it wonld be sever
al minutes before the sound would reach the
earth, ,--leading to the belief that the meteor
had struck the earth at a short distance from
where it was last seen. Undoubtedly, scien-
tiic men will shortly furnish the public with
some interesting theories in regard to it, and
possibly some arolites may be picked mp. In
the course of the few days we will probably be
able to furnish our readers with some definite
information in regard to the whole matter.