New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-25
SCHEBERLElS COMET.
A LETTER FROM PROFESSOR SWIFT

TO the razor Of me Tra6une
SIR; had another (the third observation of
Scheberle's comet this morning. | found it less
bright than had expected, considering the dimin-
ished brightness OF moonlight This comet was dis
covered on the morning of July IL by Mr. j. NJ.
Schrberle, of Ann Arbor Mich, who had strong
reasons for thinking it to be comet, though adj
vancing daylight put a stop to all observations to
determine whether or not ii one. He nnmed-
atey wrote of his discovery and of his suspicious
regarding il, but gave me a command not to publish
until verified Happily had a clear sky the next
morning after the eceipt OF his letter, and almost
Immediately picked it up, its tail, which in presence
OF a half-moOn excessively faint instantly re-
yeallng its Cometary character. l at cabled
the discovery to Europe and also gave the custom
airy notification by telegraph 10 astronomers in this
country. Before daylight telegraphed the discov-
erer as follows: Have cabled your comet. Motion
northeast. The Warner prize is undoubtedly yours
As the sky at Ann Arbor was cloudy the above dis
patch was the first ntimation to him of the reality
of his supposed comet. telegraphed the discovery
to Harvard College Observatory, which enabled the
astronomers there to get early and posi-
tion, which at present am unable to do Professor
Chandler of the observatory, who is becoming ia
nous as trustworthy and rapid computer of
cOmetaTy orbits, has calculated the elements
of this comets orbit, and in special
circular issued by The Science Observer, of
Boston, which has just reached me, / find
them published together with All ephemeris extend
ing to September t. Although the elements of its
orbit unlike those of any comet heretofore OBJ
served. yet find considerable resemblance to
those of Comet 1893, and that they do greatly
differ from those of Comet III, 1870. From Profess
sor Chambers ephemeris it appears that we are
again to be treated to another bright comet, which
on August 20 will be twenty-five times as bright as
al the time of discovery.
Two days subsequent saw it even in the presence
OF h3li-Hloon, and with my telescope diaphragned
down 10 one inch aperture. The comet will soon
pass into the constellation of the Lynx then into
the Great Bear, where it will be brightest and them
turning southwark, will pass through Virgo and dis
appear south of the equator. Fortunately at the
time of nearest approach TO the sun it viii also be
moon Will then be absent, as was the case when
Donaus comet III 1865 shonc with such magniIi-
cence.
The comet is approaching the earth in almost
direct line, which causes ii to increase in size as
well as bTilhancy. Already see indications Of III
with an operaglass and in few days will be yisi-
BILE To the eye without any optical aid. To find il,
look low IN the northeast III the morning skV where
Will be seen u very bright star (Capella or Alpha
Aunga.) Some six degrees below and little to the
left is another star not nearly bright Beta Au-
eye the comet will be below Beta and nearly in
range with the two stars though nearer Beta than
the distance between Alpha and Beta.
No other claimant Of this comet and the Warner
comet prize of 800 therefor. has appeared and no
doubt remains but that il will be awarded to Mr.
has had 60 pay since il was offered, January o. 1851
the first TO myself and the second to Mr.. Schrberlc
Who will Ice third LEWIS SWIFT.
Uaraer Observatory Rochester, ". y, July D. 1851.