The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1881-11-30


system ; aud that as it gradually declined in
its brightness, it was passing along the curve
from a towards B ard G, till its rapid flight
at length carried it beyond the limits of hu.
man vision? Had telescopes been in use at
that period, there is little doubt it would have
been seen, though still diminishing, for a
much longer period than that in which it was
visible to the unassisted eye in which case 1t
would have fully corroborated the opinion
now stated. In confirmation of this explanation
of the phenomena 1t has been supposed, with
a high degree of probability, that 1t is the
same star which appeared in the year 945 and
in 1864, which, of course, would have period
of revolution of about 3l9 years, which period
might vary two or three years in the course of
its revolutions, from causes with which we
are unacquainted, as we find sometimes ha 0.
pens in the case of comets. This opinion is
rendered the more probable from the consid-
GRAFTON that the stars of 945 and 1864 appear
Q | in the constellation of Gassiopeia, where
likewise the star of 1879 was observed and
If these be IDENTICAL then it is probable that
it will again make its appearance about the
year 1891 or 1892 and if SO, astronomers will
then have better opportunity of marking its
aspects and motions, and determining its size
and its period of revolution.
If this explanation appear the most proba-
BILE, it presents to the mind most magnih-
cent and overwhelming idea, without sup
posing anything so tremendous and terrific as
sudden conhagratiou. 1t presents before us
luminous globe of astonishing magnitude
perhaps not less than hundred times the
SIZE OF our snn-w.nging i!s course over cir
than the orbit of Uranus, and carrying along
with it a hundred worlds in its swift career,
The motion of such a body must have been
rapid in the extreme when we consider the
rapid diminution Of its apparent magnitude.
In the month of November it first appeared
minished IN the month of April following II
had diminished to tho size of star of the
second magnitude in July, to one of the
third magnitude in October, to one Of the
fourth in the following January, to one OF
the fifth in February, to one of the sixth
Surprising, the star of 1872 to have been
twenty billions of miles from the earth at its
nearest approach to our system from De-
cember, 1879, to April, 1873 when II was
diminished to the apparent size of star OF
the second magnitude, it must have moved
four times that distance, or eighty billions OF
miles during these four months, which is al
the rate of six hundred thousand millions Of
miles day, and four hundred and sixty-twc
millions minute velocity Of which we can
have no adequate conception.
Whatever view VIC may be disposed to take
of such striking events, we are lost in adj
miration and wonder. We behold display
of magnitude, of motion, and of magnidcence.
which overpowers the human faculties, which
shows us tue littleness of man and the limited
nature of his powers, and which ought to in
spire us with reverence of that Almighty
Being who sits on the throne Of the universe
directing all its movements for the accom-
plishment of His wise and righteous designs
and for the diffusion of universal happiness
throughout all the ranks of intelligent ex
istence