The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-08
SWIFTS COMET.

To rue EDITOR OF TIE HERALD
Since the publication Of my OF April % in the
HERALD there has been published the american
Journal Of Science and Arts observation OF Comet
ILL.,, at tho observatory Of Yale College. which ante
dates Borels discovery. II seems. therefore, that
although the observers unior unate at the Ma.
tional Observatory. Professor Swiits announcement
sufficient to enable astronomers with favorable
sky to lind his comet Even haa the fact been that
Bores discovery PRIOR 10 any American observa-
ton which determined the position OF the comet
do think tho astronomical world would have de-
MED Swilt's priority on that ground alone Yet there
would have been some reason Tor such decision, cspe
caly add the fact. stated in his letter Of May
10 the HERALD. that he elegraphed that IL the
field with Pr" which was eignI degrees away, and tho
fact, which ihave just asccra,ned from "a knowledge
OF It's orbit that tho position which ne teegraphed was
y three ns ns aa n
the ncighborhood Of Tho position which was tec-
graphcd, extending the search each place over ned
OF five degrees IN diameter, or tho distance OF the
Pointers In Urso Major from each other, the conclu-
sion might naturally have been that there was mis-
take, and perhaps comet at ALL Tho announce
mcnt ought to have been such as enable the
observatory its telescope Immediately upon the
comet without search. and not such rs ~ require
search OF cen minutes half hour according
the luck OF the observer. That proper announce.
ment made ut all the fault OF Professor
swift but OF the unknown somebody who has pro-
vided him with the means Of determining positions
accurately Aud although his lanrels secure
Tor this time he may not be so fortunate the next.
On Friday evening found the comet aud determined
its position about fourteen degrees nor Of Capea,
where Comet still fingers BY the and OF the two OBJ
sorvations ut Yule College ana my own have
puted approximate orbit, from which II appears
this passed Its pcrhelion about ten Gays
ago ut almost exactly the earths distance from the
sun, and Is now moving nearly al right angles
tho line OF sight, TINT there
probability that II will become brighter than 1t now
isa small and some what FAINT 10 es:opic comet With
mo taiLn IL was ic TACT at the time OF writing my
last letter a little further from than surmised,
the direction OF motion such, that although
It may be seen in the telescope Tor month or two
longer until 1t becomes lost the Western twilight II
will be moro difficult 10 find than II has been
heretofore. !.
Later observations Of Comet H. show that II lit
tie further from and viii not quite equal in bright
the predictions founded upon the orbit computed
Europe II may be easily found with small telc.
scope TWO degrees behind the place Indicated
by my diagram. Amor the middle OF May tho bright
VI the moon will make the observation OF both
comets difficult and therefore append tho positions
May 81 which II will be easy, With good tclc
scope TO rcdiscover them, and they may then be fol-
lowed until tho moon again nterferes At that time
Comet H. Will be found just below the mouth OF the
Grcat Bear and Comet Ill. little below the hind feet
OF the Lynx. HENRY NJ PARKHURST
NEw YoRK, May Z, 1877.