Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-10-25
EXPECTED METEORIC SHOWER
Interesting Scientific speoulations

Prof Ferguson, of the National Oh.
servatory in Washington, is making ar.
rangements to take scientific observa,
tions on the expected meteoric display
in November next The subject of me.
teors and shooting stars has engaged the
attention of eminent astronomers within
the last century to a greater extent than
ever before; among others, Profe ssors
Olmsted, Twining and Newton have writ
ten valuable papers in connection with it.
The appearance of shooting stars is
quite common, but in the months of Au-
gust and November of each year they
are seen in greater numbers, generally
about the 10th of August and the 18th of
November Tne great meteoric shower
of 1893 seems to have drawn the atten-
ton of astronomers more particularly to
this subject, and from that time to the
occurrence of the meteoric shower in
1888, and up to the present day they
have been endeavoring to refer the differ
ent phases and characteristics Of the phe-
nomenon to known laws, and to establish
the exact anniversary of its appearance.
Thus far the more brilliant of these
meteoric showers have occurred at inter-
walls of thirty-three years, that of 1888
was especially distinguished by the imi
mense number of moving meteors to be
seen at once, and for the remarkable size
and splendor of many of them. Among
the many myriads Of blazing meteors
visible on that occasion, one was seen at
several places on this continent. 1t was
recognized by several observers by its
extraordinary size and brilliancy, as we'll
as by the length of time its train remained
visible, which was about ten minutes
The luminous train seemed to follow the
meteor in serpentine course, and finally
disappeared in vast nebulous cloud,
many times larger than the moon, and
which continued to move onward with u
velocity greater than the clouds.
The meteoric displays of 1899 and 1888
we're characterized by the fall of meteor
ties, which, rushing towards the surface
Of the earth with loud noise, penetrated
beneath it several feet. The priodicity
of these starry showers is not so definite
ly ascertained with regard to the day as
to the year. They have occurred to a
greater or less degree in the months of
August or November, from 1888 to 1889,
but the most remarkable of. them have
appeared on the 18th November, or be-
tween that date and the l4th. #
The next appearance of the meteoric
phenomenon, therefore, is expected on
or about the 18th of next month. The
observations of the astronomers have
demonstrated that the shooting stars are
more numerous between midnight and
sunrise, and the majority of them agree
in fixing the radiant point-that point in
which the lines described by the meteors
in their fight centre-in the constella-
ton Leo, limiting the area of radiation
to the immediate vicinity of Regulus in
the neck of the lion. Others assign the
radiant point to the constellation Orion.
The theory most generally accepted in
accounting for the regular recurrence of
meteoric showers is that an unusual ag-
Of these asteroids exists in the
plane which is reached by the earth at
that point of its orbit, 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 fight of
meteors in November, 1888, much ap-
prehension was manifested from the fear
that one or more of these asteroids
would come into collision with the earth
but hitherto no disastrous consequences
have ensued from this grand celestial
display, and though there is some reason
to believe tina; an event Of this kind is
scientific men unite in the
opinion that such calamity is not with
in the bounds of possibility.