The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-07-14


An Amateurs Review OF the Professors.
NEW YORK, July Ia 1874.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
During the last few DAYS you have published ex.
tenslve interviews with American astronomers.
The difference OF opinion Is so contrasting
as to appear cOmicai. Could you not inter-
view by cable Father Secchi at Rome I
should think that his earnest zeal in astrO-
nomical observations IL at least worth the
expense OF a cable telegram. When, some years
ago, the NEW YORK HERALD reported the Lon
don meteoric shower of the previous evening,
Professor LOOMS believed 1T to be q hoax. and
was IN consequence, nOLerS UOLens, compelled to
suffer for several months as a target of the NEW
YORK HERALD. l should think that astronomy as
science is not yet so well systematized chem.
istry. Chemistry has now about sixty-three adj
, mitted original elements. l propose as o n.y.
pothesis, t1at infinite space must add many more
chemical elements, so tnat even the spectrOscope
may not be ali-suthcient IN all cases. There is q
very reliable standpoint of common sense.
Cogga in condensed state would not be larger
than a. ball capable IN size TO be casped by
thetical bah could be stretched to an elasticity
OF gum three millions OF mules, and coming as
Be visible It lacks logic TO be visible at SUCH Sh
must be composed OF long chain OF solid meteors,
however small One OF your astronomers this
heory anyhow is more TaoHs an Sa aSe
theory OF the condensed ball within the palm OF u
hand My modest opinion Is That q comet Is q
'mother which carries the germs OF new planets"
distributing them during thousands or years OF
travel within Infinite space, until, exhausted, the
comet disappears, entirely extinct to astronomy
and fact.
Meteonc showers IN the fall are distinct from
meteoric fragments in a comet. Our meteOrc
showers originate in the constellation OF Leo, and
from that corner OF the heavens emerge with
regular clock time either In August October.
One OF your interviewed astronomers says that
planet earth travels $4,000 miles per hour,
while he gives to the comet Coggia one round
million OF miles per hour.
Where in the name Of common sense, Is the law
OF gravitaton a? Comet Coggia computed by one
to be not more of solid matter Than ball within
the palm OF rDe handl, travelling faster than the
solid heavy body OF our planet? Professor Proctor
added to our planet every year several thousand
tons OF meteoric substance: such at least was re-
ported in your columns. If the existence OF one
planet requires such heavy load OF meteorlc
supply, what could be the ultimate purpose OF a
comet 1900 900 miles OF tail length condensed to
a ball within the palm OF your hand 2 Absurd
To travel so much faster than our planet would
indicate SO much more weight OF volume.
vapors clouds, mists cannot travel so fast, unless
chased by winds, and then they do not travel
such distances and by no means in an
elllptical way Take. for instance, the inches
and weight OF water discharged by thunder
storm. This water Is the condensation OF clouds.
Therefore, If you start from the sequel Of thunder
storm within our own atmosphere and quite near
our heads with such bulk OF electricity, now
absurd would IL be TO underrate the size and
weight OF an electric phenomenon many millions
OF miles In length and so many millions OF miles
distant and still visible IN brilliancyl
You experienced this week. at the same time,
one earthquake IN our Utah, and on the same day
one in Constantinope, Turkey, while the ther-
mometer your door, at four O'Clock In the alter
noon, pointed i0l degrees Is tins only the enect
could draw many more logical c0nciuslOns--but
enough tor this letter GERMAN AMATEUR.