The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-15
A NIGHT OF CELESTIAL PYROTECHNICS.
The Display Witnessed in All Parts Of
the United States.
Report of the Superintendent of the
Naval Observatory.
Meteoric Shower Observed in
England Last Night.

The meteoric displays OF November, 1866, and No
vember, 1867, having been duly heralded by the
astronomers, were duly watched commented
ANA wildly described by all who are prone TO lift
their eyes heavenward at short notice. In England
ana such countries as occupy northeastern por-
ton OF this worlds civilized domain the display was
on an unusually large scale, and many valuable
facts and data were gathered by those who lift their
eyes from earth TO study the mysterious ways OF
heaven But no star gazer or sounder OF the celes-
tial deep had announced that this fall would be
marked by any unusual signs in the heavens.
Such, however, proved TO be the case. The
meteoric display Of November IL and IA, 1868,
though not 30 startling in point Of numbers that OF
the same date last year undoubtedly more mag
nincent in point OF splendOr. We speak OF the two
sights as viewed with the naked eye at New York,
for many Of the meteors that flashed across the
heavens on the night Of Friday and morning OF
Saturday last were disnguishabe only to the sharp
est sight or through instruments calculated 10 sound
only the most remote depths of heavenly glory
About eleven O'Clock on Friday night several shoot
ing stars were visible here, but none was large
or brilliant enough TO draw more than a
passing notice. The only remarkable feature
In the heavens Was the frequency and rapidly
VI these so.called shooting stars.u Towards
were seen traversng the heavens, often in opposite
directions. Those whose memory recalled the date
Of the last and its previous years. meteoric displays
at suspected the possibility probability OF a
fine heavenly show. Such as had The patience and
endurance to keep wake on the heavens all night
must now feel grateful that the brilliant sight did
NOT escape their eyes. For the OF science 1t
viii be well If those who viewed the heavenly dis
play orNoyember 1914, 1853 will give scientific ana
professional menlan accurate and unenthuslastic re-
ctal of what they witnessed.
AS seen from the top OF the HERALD building, the
finest sights were from one O'Clock on Saturday morn
ing until hirty-fve minutes after; again, from ten
minutes past two O'Clock until twenty minutes OF
three; from halfpast three until four O'Clock, and
from five until shortly afterdawn Three very large
and bright meteors however, crossed the heavens
from the direction Of eastnortheast, but nearly
overhead, at ten minutes past six A. NJ Neither
exploded, but appeared about the size OF and similar
to ship lights. They left no trail, and died out as
suddenly az an ordinary light blown out by pun.
Although seen to rise at all points OF the horizon
and direct their course earthwards the great ma
jority started from the northeast The general focus
appeared TO be at an angle OF fifteen degrees above
the horizon about one A. NJ. Saturday.
This focus seemed to rise towards the
zenith-very like the movement OF the bodies in
focus seemed almost overhead. Although no compass
was at hant. snd the polar star was dmmcd by the
horizon, still the observations made o2 AeesvArARi
| among the most brilliant meteors settles the fact
that the general focus was due northeast. Several
directed their course towards the observer here;
fell Short others passed over to the southwest
and not few exploded overhead.
One remarkable meteor, at twenty minutes past
one in the morning, arose In the northeast, M
learned from the tran and explosion. IL crossed
the heavens towards the southwest and exploded
overhead. Tue fash was very brilliant but short
lived still the observer could distinctly read the
figures on a wach's brass dial plate and see minute
objects on the roof. The meteor Ia its descent
looked like q rocket stick on fire amidst a long
cloud OF smoke The 6re died out when at about
thirty degrees altitude; but the cloud remained
| immovable by the wind and gradually sank
until 1t was disspated near the horizon. From the
extingulshment OF the meteor unti the smoke or
cloud disslpated a space OF twenty-five minutes
elapsed. The weight OF the cloud. or what seemed
smoke, was too remarkable 10 be left unnoticed in
the account OF Saturday mornings display. In its
descending course this same meteor described the
figure of > and Was the most beautiful aeroite Of
the whole night.
Another meteor, at twelve minutes past one start
ed from out the northern light and seemed 10 travel
due south IN a straight line about ten degrees above
the horizon. From the roof OF the HERALD building
II seemed to explode over Weehawken and looked rs
ture about H. that ALL nearly
all, OF the rainbow's coiors successfully shown
II It's transit. It must DO regretted, IN scientific
point OF view, II no party OF observers has taken
the order, comparative length and duration az well
as intensity Of these colors 80 rapid aud direct
the course " this meteor that no one person,
unaided by instruments, could take such obserya
lions.
A. viewed from an elevation commanding a full
sight of the horizon the fail Of meteors looked like
universal display Of fireworks ON The grandest
scale. The swiftness, greatness aud brightness oi
these mete0rs however would leave pyr0techny In
dark shade. rs contrasted with last years
shower tins years was less numerous but far more
brilliant.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERAi.D--
From position Twelfth street. near Broadway,
looking north northeast, / counted, between the
hours or twelve and three Ibis morning. three hun
dred meteors radating apparently south, southwest
and west from the constellation vugarly called the
Dipper. The night being fine, and all the consel-
ations fairly blazing, the exhibition was really spen
aid. some OF the shooters were FIRST class ana
moved with a velocity calculated W appal even the
Great Bear. J. W. Al.
NOVEMBER IA, 1853.