The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-11-15
Amateur Observations Of MeteOrs.

ON the 18th and 14th days of Novem-
Der, the earth makes its annual passage
through the second of the great meteor
belts which intersect its orbit. The
thickness of this belt at its thickest
part is estimated by Prof. Proctor at
some 100000 miles, and it is supposed
that the denser portion of the system
or "gem of the meteor ring contains
at least one hundred thousand meteors.
These, however, Herschel has calcu-.
lated to be extremely small, rarely ex-
ceeding few ounces in weight. 1t
has further been determined that the
November meteOrs mostly radiate from
the constellation Leo, and the aphelion
of their orbit is somewhat beyond the
planet Uranus.
Late Investigations have pointed to
the identity of the orbit of some of the
comets with the orbits of different
groups of meteors. The path of the
meteors, for example. which are usual
ly seen from Aug. 9 to II, comedies
with that of the bright comet of 1862,
and both Peters and Schiparelli indie
pendently discovered some time ago
that TelNpel's comet of 1S66-a body
visible only with the telescope-has ell
ements which may be regarded as alb
solutely identical with those of the No
vember belt. 1t is not definitely known
tween the comets and the meteors,
though it appears that the latter have
paths as eccentric as those of the COM
etic orbits, and hence it is deduced that
the earth encounters no less than fifty
six meteor systems, thus affOrding
proof that the total number of these
systems in the universe must be esti-
mated by billions.
1t will readily be seen that knowl-
edge of the elements of the paths de-
scribed by the meteors is of consider
able astronomical importance. While,
as already stated, the general direction
or radiation is from the constellation
! Leo, it has been observed that often on
the same night many distinct centers
of radiation may be traced. 1t is by the
determination Of these centers that the
elements above referred to may be cal
culated. Then by comparing the re-
suits with the elements of the orbits of
known comets, it becomes possible to
discover which comets, by rupture, ac-
cording to one theory, probably gave
rise to the various groups of shooting
stars. Hence observations made with
the naked eye, which fix the exact point
in the heavens whence the meteors ap-
pear to radiate, may prove of value.
1t is necessary first to note the region
of the heavens whence the meteors APP
pear, and then to observe specially
| those bodies which seem to have the
shortest trajectories. These will, OF
course, be the ones nearest the center
of radiation. and in this way the loca-
ton of the latter can be quite accurate
w determined. Look also for pale
light something similar to the aurora,
which is often present about the radi.
ating point. 1t is also useful to note
the color and brilliancy of the meteors.
The latter may be estimated by com.
parison with Jupiter and Venus, the
brilliancy of these planets being taken
as the maximum. If the meteOrs leave
a trail behind them, note the fact, and
also observe how long the trail remains
visible after the star disappears, also
whether it has any backward motion
A field glass may be advantageously
employed to recognize any special
peculiarities of the trail. These OBJ
servations, if carefully made, will be
acceptable at any astronomical observ-
atory. Meteors also appear from the
9th to the goth of November, and from
the 9th to 18th of December, but not in
such numbers as upon the above-men-
toned dates.-Scicntifc american.