The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-11-10
The Expected Meteoric shower in No
yember.


vember.
The public has-been advised for some
time, by the papers, that on or about the
18th, 14th or 18th of November, proximo.
grand meteoric display. such has not been
witnessed since 1888, would occur We learn,
through the National Intelligencer, that Pro-
fessor Ferguson, of the National Observable
ry, is making arrangements to take scientific
observations on the expected phenomenal
The Washington paper furnishes interesting
data on the subject, a portion of which We
subloin as possessing no little interest In con-
nection with the nearness of the anticipated
display - --F -- =
The appearance of shooting stars is quite
common, but in the months of August and
November of each year they are seen In great
err numbers, generally about 10th of August
and 18th of November. The great meteoric
shower of 1890 seems to have drawn the at
tention of astronomers more particularly to
this subject and from that time to the recur
renee of the meteoric showers in 1888, and
up to the present day, they have been en-
deavoring to refer the different phases and
characteristics of the phenomenon to known
laws and to establish the exact anniversary
OF its appearance.
Thus far the more brilliant of these mete-
oric showers have occurred at intervals of
thirty-three years that of 1888 was especial
ly distinguished by the immense numbers OF
moving meteors to be seen at onOe, and Tor
the remarkable size and splendor of many OF
them. Among the myriads of blazing me-
teors visible on that occasion, one was seen
ut several places of this continent. 1t was
recognized by several observers by its extra
ordinary size and brilliancy, as well as by
the length OF time its train remained visible,
which was about ten minutes. The luminous
train seemed to follow the meteor in a ser
pentine course and finally disappeared in
vast nel,ulous cloud, many times larger than
the MOON and which continued to move on
ward with a velocity greater than the clouds.
The meteoric displays of 1889 and 1888
were characterized by the fall of meteorites,
which, rushing towards the surface of the
earth with a loud noise, penetrated beneath
it several feet The perio.licity of these star
ry showers is not SO definitely ascertalned
with regard to the day as the year. They
occurred to a greater or less degree in the
months of August and November, from 1888
to 1889 but the most remarkable ofthem
appeared on the 18th of November, or be
tween that day and the 18th.
The next appearance of the meteoric phe-
nomenon therefore, is expected on or about
the 18th of next month. The observations
of astronomers nave demonstrated that the
shooting stars are more numerous between
midnight and sunrise. and the majority OF
them agree i'll fix ing the radiant point that
point in which the lines described by the
meteors in their flight center-in the constel-
lation Leo limiting the area of radiation to
the immediate vicinity of Regulus,n the neck
of the lion Others assign the radiant point
to the constellation Orion.
The theory most generally accepted in ac-
counting for tine regular occurrence of mcte-
oric showers is that an unusual aggregation
of these asteroids exist in the plane which is
reached by the earth at that point of its or
bit, and through which the earth is several
hours in passing. although observations have
not been sufficiently numerous to establish
the exact period of the earth's arrival at this
part of its orbit. During the flight OF me-
teors in November, 1888, much apprehen-
sion was manifested from the fear that one
or more of these asteroids would come into
collision with the earth but hitherto no dis
astrous consequences have ensued from this
grand celestial display, and although there
is some reason to believe that an event OF
this kind is possible, scientific men unite in
the opinion that such calamity is not with
in the bounds of probability.