The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-11-07
The Expected Meteoric Shower in November
THE SHOWER N 1893 AND 1888.

WASHINGTON, D. G., October 7-Professo
Ferguson, of the national observatory in thi
city, is making arrangements TO take scientific
observations on the expected meteoric displa,,
in November next. The subject of meteor
and shooting stars has engaged the attention
of eminent astronomers within the last century
to a greater extent than ever before; among
them professors Omstead, Twining and New
ton have written valuable papers in connection
with it.
The appearance Of shooting stars is quite
common, but in the months Of August and
November of each year they are seen il
greatest numbers-generally about the 18Th
of November. The great meteorlc shower Of
/ 1893 seems to have drawn the attention Of
astronomers more particularly to this subject,
and from that time TO the recurrence of the
meteorc showers in 1888, and up TO the pres
ent day, they have been endeayoring to refer
the different phases and characteristics of the
phenomenon to known laws, and 10 establish
the exact anniversary Of its appearance.
Thus far the more brilliant of these meteoric
showers have occurred at intervals of thirty
three years that of 1888 was especially dis
tinguished by the immense number of moving
metcors to be seen at once, and for the re-
markable size and splendor of many of them.
Among the myriads of blazing meteors visible
on that occasion, one was seen at several
places on this continent. 1t was recognised
by several observers by its extraordinary size
and brIiancy, as well as BY the length Of time
its train remained visible, which was about ten
minutes The luminous train seemed to fol-
low the meteor in serpentne course, and
finally disappeared in a vas: nebuIous cloud,
many times larger than the moon, and which
continued to move onward with velocity
greater than the clouds.
The meteoric displays Of 1899 and 1888
were characterised by the fall Of the meteorites
which, rushing towards The surface OF the
earth with loud noise, penetrated beneath it
several feet. The periodicty of these starry
showers is not so definitely ascertaned with
regard to the day as to the year. They have
occurred to a greater or less degree in the
months of August and November, from 1888
to 1889; but the most remarkable of them
have appeared on the 18Th Of November, or
between that date and the l4th.
The next appearance Of the meteoric phe-
nomenon. therefore, is expected on or about
the 9Th of next month. The observations of
astronomers have demonstrated that the shoot
ing 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
flight centrc-in the constellation Leo limiting
the area of radiation to the immediate vicinity
Of Reguus in the neck Of the lion. Others
assign the radiant point to the constellation
Orion.
The theory most generally accepted in &C
counting for the regular occurrence Of meteoric
showers, is that an unsual aggregation of these
asteroids exist 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 rarths arrival at this part Of its
orbit. During the flight of meteors in Noyem-
Der, 1888, much apprehension was manifested
from tie fear that one or more OF these aste
roids would come into collision with the earth;
but hitherto no disastrous 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 a calamity is not
within the bounds of probability.