The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-11-26
The Expected November EeteOrs.-.
What They Are.

IFrom the Providence Jo,rnai.i
It is altogether probable that meteorlc
display will take place on Thanksgiving
evening, the eth. Biela's comet, or rather
some fragments Of it, are due on that date.
AS these erratic visitors are not always on
time, it will be well to keep sharp look
out for several evenings before ana after
the 9th, beginning as early as the 2ttb.
Astronomers have strong reasons for antic'-
paring q grand display, and, II they are
right in their calculations, a brilliant shower
NAV be expected, for the earth will then
pass through a metear.zone made up OF the
fragments OF Biela's comet. This eccentric
member OF the comctary family has pecu-
liar history. 1t was first observed in 1872,
but it was not till 1926 that the elements
OF its revolution and the period OF its
orbit were determined. This discovery was
made by Biela, an Austrian astronomer,
and the comet consequently bears his name.
Its period is about six years and three quar-
terS, and its perihelon path passes near the
orbit OF the earth. Its first predicted re-
turn was in 1882, and great excitement was
caused by the announcement that 1t would
come into collision with the earth. Fortu-
nately there was mistake in the ealcula-
tions. The comet crossed our orbit month
before the earth reached that point OF her
course, and earth and comet went safely
on their appointed paths without interEer-
ing with each others movements. Neither
at this time nor in 1859 was the comet in a
favorable position for observation. But on
its return in 1916 it presented 4 remarkable
phenomenon. 1t broke into two parts,
each part becoming separate comet,
and possessing nucleus and tail; some
times one was the brighter, and sometimes
the other, the two comets travelling TO-
cether ut 4 distance OF about two hundred
thousand miles. In 1852 the twin comets re-
appeared. after travelling together for SIX
wears, the distance between them having
increased to million and half miles. The
return of the comet was looked for in 1859
with eager interest, but there was no APP
pearance of the much visitor, and
in 1866 not vestige OF it could be dis
covered. Its uniavorabie condition for OBJ
servation probably prevented lis being seen
on these returns. In 1872, however, the
conditions were favorable, and yet no
comet was visible, unless we accept
the observations OF Madras astrono-
mer, who records the passage OF an object
through the Indian sky that might have
been the fragment OF comet. And now
there occurred a wonderful coincidence.
At the very time the comet was due, on the
27th Of November, brilliant display OF me-
teors took place. 1t was observed in this
city and in various other places in the i'm.
mediate vicinity, some observers counting
about seven hundred meteors. A meteoric
| shower was seen ut the same time hundred
miles from the island OF Madeira. 1t com
menccd at dark and lasted Two hours and 8
half. Nearly sixteen hundred aieteors were
visible. -Four tifths of them appeared like
small balls OF FIRE moving leisurely through
the air, but the others moved with great We
locity, leaving 4 train OF fire behind them.
Astronomers think there is little doubt
that this meteoric shower was produced Dy
the remains Of the lost comet, and they pre-
dict another on Thanksgiving night, made
up OF the same elements. Celestial pheno
mena that concern the cometary brother
hood are often behiEdhand. The show may
come of between the oath and the end ol
the month; those who would see the dis
plav must therefore be on the watch
rhe DieIan meteors diverge from point
in the constellation Andromeda called the
radiant point, which is now nearly over
head at 10 O'Clock in the evening. and Il
some distance above the eastern horizon
at sunset. II NAV be that all that was ie1'
O: Biela's comet was dissolved in shower
OF tire, as it impinged against our Amos
phere in 1872, and then not trace will re-
main to light up our evening sky. The pro
| liabilities. however, point 10 the transforms
tion OF this anomalous comet into meteor
zone, the brighter portion OF which the
earth traverses at intervals Of six years ant
three-quarters, when brilliant showers may
| be expected far exceeding the annual ones
OF the August meteor-zone, and falling fa1
behind the grand display of the Novembel
mcteor-zone, which once in thirty-thre'
years writes it's record on the skies in char
acteEs OF fire.