Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-03-10
A RIt or An,ronomicaI Komance.

DCCuHlOUllll tNtiiio oNNul III WIZ
scientific world which deserve to be
called romantic, and the astronomers
have very recently furnished US with an
instance. In 1926, Biela, an officer in
the Austrian army, discovered little
comet, which bears his name, and which
revolves around the sun in a compara-
lively short period OF less than seven
years. In 1882 it was found that its
orbit cuts that of the earth at point
which she passes in the latter part OF
November, and much alarm was ex-
cited among the unlearned and semi
scientific for fear of collision-need-
lessly, however, as the comet crossed the
intersection (or node, as it is technically
called). in October, while the earth
was still some millions of miles away. In
1889 the comet was not seen, being unfa-
vorably situated. In 1876 strange thing
happened-the comet split while under
observation, and when it vanished in the
distance, had become a double comet.
In 1852 the two parts were both observed,
moving separately and independently,
but very faint. In 1859 and 1866 the
comet should have reappearedi but,
though most anxiously searched for, it
could not be found on either occasion.
1t was due again last autumn, and was
again earnestly hunted for, though with
little hope of finding it, until on the
night of November 9th, occurred n
most remarkable shower of shooting
stars. which for several hours rained by
thousands from point in the sky near
the foot OF the constellation Andromeda.
Over 10000 Of the meteors were counted
at some of the European stations within
three hours.
Now, in 1867, Schiaparelli, an Italian
astronomer, had proved that some close
relationship exists between comets and
meteors, by showing that little comet,
known as Tempers, moves in precisely
tho same orbit as that pursued by the
meteers of November IL, the so-called
Leonides, Ia their course around the sun
the comet preceding the main flock of
m eteors by some two years. The follow
ing year Oppolzer, of Vienna, showed
that the meteors of Augustine Per
seides-are similarly preceded by the
comet of 1862. Nor had it escaped the
notice of astronomers, among others our
own Kirkwood, that the Andremeda
meteors, which on several previous oc-
oas;ans have been obseFVed though
never before in such numbers, might
stand in the same relation to the comet
of Biela.
When, therefore, the shower of No
vember 9th occurred, astronomers at
once concluded unanimously that either
the comet had actually fallen upon the
earth. or at least had brushed us with its
tail The celebrated German astrono-
mer. KlinkerFues, of Gottingen, went
further. Reasoning that il the comet
had passed. coming from tho direction
of the Andromeda, it must now be reeed-
ing in the opposite part OF the heavens, |
he the next day telegraphed to Mr.. Fog |
zon. Director of the Observatory at
Madras. in Southern India: Biela |
Iouchei earth on 9th; look near Theta
Centauri" And, spre enough, on the
I'd of December (having been before /
hindered by bad weather), HF. Pogson
found the comet in the indicated plqee.
He describes it as circular, pretty bright,
With no trace Of a tail; but can hnd
nothing of the companion comet; very |
il was the companion which
came into eOliisipp with the earth and
rave rise to the stSy shower-though,
perhaps, it is more prObaplS tb9t the
sarih only passed through an attendant
Cock OF lasteors, without touching the
main body OF s;ther comet,
We must have most beautiful CON
srnAtion of the theory whicG recognizes
comets Aad meteors as very near E,fi
hOugh as get the facts are hardly suih-
iert TO decide bstween the different
Jews o Astronomers as 70 the nature OF
he relat au. Some hold thai comets
re only aggl agati0ns of meters; others
hat the meteors ere merely attendants
non The comets. s,.7all pieces OF the
anne nebulo-s matter OF Nnien comets
re composed, torn off from ,''see'Slius el S'i9
Drces from the larger mass as It V1"
Dwards the sun through insterstellal
pace; and others yet las Kirkwood sug-
ested in 1861, long before Schiaparellis
that the meteOrs are pieces
T the comet detached by the same solar
,rces which produce its fall; in fact,
re the mere debris Of cOmetary trains.
or the complete solution of this pro-
lem long course OF observation IS
kelly 10 be required. but a great point
as been gained, and how far conclu-
ons may be safely carried can hardly
e known until the present orbit Of the
omet. and the earth's effect upon IL,
49,. - - s.rsF-. 1.tn- q eauna I