The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1877-02-02
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
From the I1ter-occan.

LA hAhEE, A1ts
Please give the many readers of your
paper a full account of the first appearance
of the great meteor of Dec. 90 upon this
continent, also the time of its passage, and
the furthest point east that it was seen.
Please state if astronomers were aware of
its near approach before it appeared. Any
further scientific information relating to il
will be gladly received.
Ans.-The following is the approximate
path of the meteorite as nearly as can be
indicated from the reports: It first ap-
peared at some point southwest of Law
renee, Kan, passed over Miami county to
the eastern boundaries of the State across
Missouri, from Cass to Mari on counties
across Illinois, from Adams to Iroquois
counties across Indiana, from Newton to
Allen counties, and INTO New York. This
distance was nearly 1000 miles, and its
elevation varied from rs to 40 miles, being
nearest the earth at the eastern limit of its
path. Astronomers were not aware of its
presence until it became visible. 1t had
an orbit around the sun, and had probably
been as long upon its travels as has thu
earth itself. In the process of time the
earth in it's orbit happened to be at the
point Cor near it) of the intersection of the
orbits of earth and the meteorite at the
same time the latter approximated the
point of intersection. The contact with the
earth's atmosphere produced degree of
friction sufficient to heat it to the point of
luminosity, Or to ignite the looser portions
of it's surface. The meteor was probably
of earthly composition, a state favorable to
series of disruptions.
FoNTANELLE, Iowa.
|. Has Congress ever declared Washing
toms birthday legal holiday? 2. Do
Christmas and New Year fall on Sunday at
regular intervals? If so, how long is that
interval, and how long will it be until they
will fall on that day? 8. Is there we'll in
Vermont whose water freezes in summer
and thaws in winter? If so, what is the
cause? Are there any caves in the world
similar to it? 4. What is the geographical
distinction between gulf and bay? 5.
Why did Congress refuse to annex Santo
Domingo? 6. Describe its government.
Ans.-1. No. We have no national legal
holiday, not even the Fourth of July. 2.
Yes. Beginning with 1926, Christmas
(and, of course, New Years. falls on Sun
day in this order: Six years (1S31). five
years 1886, six years dS42), and eleven
years 1859. That day fell on Sunday,
1870, which will occur again in eleven
years Qs91), again in six years (1SSD,
again in five years CS92) and again in
eleven years $1,000. 8. Yes; it is near
Brandon, Vt. There have been several
attempts at explaining the phenomenon,
one of the most satisfactory being that the
well being situated in ravine and shaded
is frozen by the rapid evaporation of water
in summer, by which the heat of the ad-
jacent earth is abstracted and the water
frozen. In winter the evaporation is less
rapid. and the water remains liquid. We
know of no similar cave. 4. 1t is slight
and not very well defined. A gulf is a
large body of water, and not SO nearly
surrounded by land as bay. 5. Because
it was not popular with the people. 6.
San Domingo is republic very much like
our own. 1t was founded in 1914.
BUDA, Ill.
|. What is the steepest grade in ascent
| of Mt. Washington by railroad? 2. Also
in Mt. Gems, Europe?
Ans.-1. The average grade is 300 feet
to the mile; the maximum is 1880 feet to
the mile, or 13k inches to the yard. 2.
The heaviest grade on the Mt. Cents rail-
road is one foot to 12k feet.
CHICAGO.
Be kind enough to give in your next
issue the best way to test kerosene oil.
Ans.-Take shallow basin that will
hold half pint, and into it pour the oil to
be tested deep enough to cover the bulb Of
a thermometer; set the whole into pan
of water, with the thermometer fastened
so as to indicate the temperature of the
oil place the pan in the stove. When the
thermometer indicates 10 degrees move a
| lighted match over the oil. If the oil is
unsafe gas will be generated that will
inflame at that degree. The temperature
of the oil may be raised to that degree when
the gas is generated, and that will be the
degree of fire test. Oil should stand test
Of at least ITO degrees, and it is far better
if it will stand test of from 1875 to 14(
degrees.