Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-12-06
The Meteeric Shower In Great
Britain,

The Astronomers did not fail in
their calculations concerning the Me-
teoric shower after all. Though we,
Of the Western Hemisphere, did not
have the pleasure of Witnessing the
spectacle, still an unusual display of
meteors occurred at the time desig-
mated, which were fully visible in
England and Scotland, on the morn
ing of November 14th. The English
papers are filled with the accounts of
parties, who made observations at
different points in Great Britain
From these accounts we gather that
the spectacle was grand, indeed.
The display seems to have been the
finest in the neighborhood of Lon
don. We give below an account
taken from the London Times, as
being the fullest and most elaborate
statement of the Meteoric shower we
have seen:
OBSERVATIONS By Mr.. HIND.
Mr.. J. R. Hind, the celebrated astronomer,
records his observations in the following let
ter to the Times:
"To The Editor Of the Times:
"Sn: The predicted shower Ct meteors
has been witnessed here during the past
night under very favorable atmospheric cir
eumstances. In addition to Mr.. Wiss and
myself, our observing force included II. du
Chaillu (who kindly volunteered his assis-
tance on the occasion) and DR.. Hampshire.
From midnight to one o'clock A. NJ, Green
vich time, l,l20 meteors were noted, the
number gradually increasing. Frem ] A.
n. to LII. I'm. IS. no less than 5l4 were coun-
ted, and we were conscious Of having missed
very many, owing TO the rapldity OF their
succession. At the latter moment there was
rather sudden increase to an extent which
rendered it impossible to count the number,
but after 20 decline became preceptibls.
The maximum was judged to have taken
place about lilo, and at this time the appear
ance Of the whole heavens was very beautiful,
not TO say magnificent. Beyond their i'm
mense number, however, the meteors were
not particularly remarkable, either as regards
brilliancy or the persistency of the trains,
few Of which were visible more than three
seconds; indeed, n. du Chaillu observed that
in these respects the meteors fell far short Of
those of the April period, whick he had wit
messed under fine sky in equatorial Africa.
From 50 to 2:09, 300 were registered; from
3-0s to 1924. 100; from 4:42 to 5, the number
seen was II, and these mostly faint; and
from 5:45 TO 6, only five were counted.
"No person acquainted with the eonstella-
tions, who carefully watched the display OF
last night, could have any doubt as to the
accuracy of the astronomical theory relative
TO these bodies. The radiant in Leo was most
strikingly manifested; while the meteOrs in
the opposite quarter Of the sky trsversed areas
Of many degrees; in the vicinity OF the d.
verging point they shone out for few seconds
without appreeiaole motion, and might have
been momentarily mistaken for stars by any
one to whom the eonfguration of the heavens
in that direction was not familiar
Several very vivid flashes of lightning
were remarked during the night. The last, |
deep orange color, and apparently emansted |
below tbe radiant in Leo. The horizon in |
that quarter was occupied by a pale glow, re- |
sembIing what has often been remarked dur |
ing exhibitions Of the aurora borealis.
"a telegram from Mr. Bishop, who watched |
the phenomenon during the night at Wey- |
mouth. mentions A. NJ, as the time Of mari |
mum, which is in accordance with the deter /
minntion made here.
II am, sir, your obedient servant,
"J. r. HIND
"Mr. Bishops Observatory, Twiekenhsm.