The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-13

the earth in circular orbit through many degrees
of parabolic orbit
Nor can we suppose that the earth in its annual pro
gress came into the vicinity of nebula which was
either stationary wandering iawless through space
Such collection OF matter could not remain stationary
within the solar system in insulated state and had Il
been In motion in any other direction than that In which
the earth moving II would have been separated
from the EARTH since during the eight hours while the
meteorc shower lasted land perhaps II lasted much
longer the earth moved In It's orbit through the space Of
On projecting diagram to represent the respective
places Of the earth in its orbit and the place Of the body
which afforded the meteorc shower the morning OF
the 18th Of November there exhibited the remarkable
fact that the EARTH in Its annual revolution was moving
proceeded varying from but two and quarter degrees
Now, the meteorc cloud remained apparently at rest
and OF course nearly in the earhs path for at least two
hours This could not have done unless II had been
moving nearly in the direction the EARTH aud
with nearly the same angular velocity around the
nineteen miles per second would have overtaken 1t In
less than two minutes; had been moving in the OPP
less time or had the angular veoces Of the two
bodies been nearly equal they could not have remained
50 long stationary with respect to each other Hence Il
is inferred first, that tho body which afforded the
mcteors was pursuing its way along with the earth round
the sun.
The limits the present article do not permit us to
hibt In full the reasoning by which the other conclu
sions mentioned in the Journal Of Science sustained
These are, second that the body revolves around
the in eIptical orbit but little inclined to the
plano Of the ecptic and having its aphelon the
orbit of the earth Third that the body has period Of
orbit OF Mercury.
The article from which most OF the foregoing particu-
lars have been taken concludes with OF
remarkable light seen In the east at the of
teoric phenomenon and subsequently in the west after
twilight at different times until the month Of May, which
light assumed different aspects corresponding apparently
to those which the body revolving around the in tho
manner contemplated by the theory would occupy.
Hence coDjecured that this luminous appearance
proceeded from the body itself which afforded the
teoric shower Should future observation establish the
truth OF this conjecture, the tact would afford striking
confirmation of the theory, but the theory is founded
evidence independent Of this last consideration 1t Is
also suggested that this light may result from the same
the Zodacal light and that the latter nnex-
planned phenomenon perhaps results from nebuous
body revolving around the interior to the orbit Of
the earth.
We cannot conclude this sketch without advertng for
moment to the provident which the Creator has
displayed In shielding the earth from the drefu effects
which tho 'shery sho wer might without such care,
have unquestionaby produced Had tho meteors been
mentum would have enabled them 10 reach tho earth
and had they held their three seconds longer
i is impossible conceive Of the calamitics which would
such maqnitude glowing with the intense heat.
Half the continent must have been involved in
mon destruction.
occuxeyNcEs OF SIMILAR PHENOMENA
17e9-0n tD 18th Of November, at Cumana, in South
america thousands OF metcors or falling stars were soon
to succeed each other during four hours or this exhibit
ton an account Is given by Humboldt and Bonpland
1903 In the month Of April in some parts OF the
According to the Richmond GaxsEe (va) Prom one
until three IN tho morning starry meteors seemed 10 fall
every heavens
resemble a shower or sky rockets"
1892 On the 18th Of November remarkable exhibl-
lions OF metcors or shooting stars at Mocha 10
Arabia and on the 10th Of the came month In various
parts Of England. For further information respecting
these phenomena the article in tho Journal Of Science
above referred TO, volume 10, pages 1872 TO 1871.
From Niles Register, November 1891
A gentleman at the ONCE OF the Register on the
18th inst just arrived from tho West said that he had
not only the phenomenon above described, but
similar except less brilliant, whom crossing the Al
leghanies. two or three nights before
The phenomenon above described was seen at many
dra, u was observed early twelve O'Clock, but
most brilliant between four and Eve o'clock. Is by all
described O. having been very magnificent and swfoly
cloud, and the stars very bright.
LYNuIBuRG, Va, Nov. l3, 1888
TO rHK EDrroRs or THE LYscHBuRo viReIsnN:-
On this morning November l3), between two o'clock
and daybreak, we were presented with most beautiful
display Of electrical excitement in the upper regions OF
similar meteoric phenomenon Of November, 1902.
Al ten o'clock last night was struck with the IN
Of the sias Soon After having my attention thus called
70 the peculiar sate OF the air felt slight repetition
Of the rcmuous motion Of the earth which has repeat
eddy been observed In this vicinity OF late
The shooting stars, Of which We had 10 impressive
exhibition this morning, made their rst appearance 10
not notice them until about Ave o'clock. From the vast
number and brightness Of the meteors tho sight
tnat time ln0o8crDu0ly 0eautfu Their general course
was from the southeast TO tho northwest, the most Of
them appearing TO the southwest OF zenith. They
first came int view twenty or thirty degrees 70 the east
or sixty degrees 10 the west oft Their genera motion
was probably horizontal although from the position OF
marked by Train Of light which was most brilliant near
the point OF their disappearance continuing from three
% seven or eight seconds and spruklng the heavens
form the marks madc the window by the Art drops
Of shower driven asainat the glass The color Of the
With reddish hue; and 50 great was The number and
frequency OF the mecos a. TO illuminate the night
sibly though slightly The average night Of each ball
was most brilliant 10 the south and wcst Of Lynchbure
at an elevation Of from thirty TO sixty degrees me
vanished from sight without visible audble
explosion, and for the part without scicntaons
No appearance Of the aurora boreals was Observed
as on he evening before entirely pecd
AT halfpast o'clock the thermometer stood At ny.
four degrees Fahrenheit the barometer at twenty nine
inches and fonr-tenths, and the hygrometer about
twenty eight degrees No change noticeable in the
magnetic dip, variation intensity. Gold leaf cleo
the prime conductor, with the cushion insulated
o slight motion Of the machine The pendulum OF
DeLuc's dro pile was accelerated Your most obedisnt
servant y. g. SMITH
In book recently published, called 'The Geography
Of the Heavens with celestial atlas by r. H. Bur.
ritz A. NJ, 1o4, loox, m account Is gwen Of . scene
similar 70 the above EN
"Mr Andrew Elicott who was sent out as our commits
oner 10 tx the boundary between the Spanish posses
sons in North America and the United Sates witnessed
very extraordinary flight OF shooting stars, which oiled
the whole atmosphere from Cape Florida 70 the West
India islands This grand phenomenon took place the
18th Of November 1893, and Is thus described was
called up says Mr. Elcot about three O'Clock In the
morning. 10 see the shooting stars, as II " called The
whole heavens appeared illuminated with sky rockets
which disappeared only by the light Of the after
daybreak The meteors, which at one instant OF time
appeared as numerous the stars dew In all possible
directions except from the earth towards which they
all inclined more or less and Of them descended
pcrpendcuarly the vessel were In, 40 that
Ia constant expectation OF their FALLING on US /"
The notion that this phenomenon betokens high winds
il Of great antiquity. Virgil In the FIRST book OF Geor
gics, expresses the same idca:-
"And Off, before tempcstuous wind arise,
The seeming stars fall headlong from the skies,
And shooting through the darkness, gid the night
With sleeping glories and long trails Of ightn