New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-28
THE COMET SEASON.

PROFESSOR DRAPER ON THE NEW VISITOR
MS REMARKS ABOUT THE OLD oNE-REsULTs ON
HIS OBSERVATIONS.
The prophets of evil who have taken IL Ia,
personal grievance that they have been compeIlea ~
the of 1881 fade away in the sky ifloot d.
aging the Garth again plucing no courage al tbe
rapid approach of scheberles comet. rBis comet
might be made out even now by particularly keen
vision in nearly the spot where rareatny
pilgrim first appeared, that is in the neshborhood of
the star Capella An ordinary oera glass said 70 rem
der the approaching comet distinctly visible but tire
recent coudness has curtained it FOR some time from
view. Professor Draper, who thar he has toc te
newspapers all he knows upon the subject cOmets
said Tuesday that he had yet observed the new one
IT, however It should prove bright promised n
would be particularly interesting because could be
examined before the cOmm0tion the head hod
reached its maximum, and comets did not often lend
themselves very well to observation until they were
near the sun.
AS this comet is said to be coming directly toward the
earth, have we not pretty good chance for collision
after all 2" asked the reporter.
"rhe chances inst about great you should
blindfold your eyes and FIRE gun at random expecting
TO hit bird The wing"
How did this comet come 20 be discoveredr
"Schaberle is astronomer at Ann Arhor
There are always persons employed in sweep
ing the heavens FOR The astronomers
have a short telescope small power which covers a
large field and with this they keep a constant lookout
for any unexpected phenomena. A comet may appear
anywhere in the sky, that continual vigilance neces
sary to insure carly discovery. is wearsome and
monotonous work, but occasional discovery aioncs
for everything 1t is impossible predict bright
this comet viii be. If approaches the last comet IN
brightness shall repeat my experiments"
is there anything further be about the last
comet o.
No; shall not go to work Systematically upon my
photographs until the city in the fan have
prepared short summary OF the results
for magazine, of which shall send "A proof To Tie
1strOnop,tsche Geseilsch0n which in Strasburg
few weeks hence and which will be attended by lie
principal astronomers OF Europe Here summary
" You viii See continued the professor pointing to a
paragraph in the proof, that 1 put everything very
mildly. We have to do that in formal statemeuts
Here. for instance yon in this sentence that am
making hit at iIuggins."
The sentence referred
Draper had exercised much TO keep the light OF
Dawn IRON aneetlng the Photographic plate.
am satisfied" said the professor that the plates
winch Higgins took were good deal modified by tac
daylight There viii probably be pretty dispute
about the question of how much OF the comets light
reflected from the sun You see, this comet photo
graped when the nights shorter than any other
time OF year why an acquaintance of mine. who has
been in England, told me that he could newspaper
4y the twilight at II O'clock in the evenings you
the English astronomers do much opportunity
TO get clear photograph But don't say all mean
the scientific magazines leave that for the news-
papers"