Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-06-29
COMET NO. 1
What a Cincinnati Astronomer
Has TO Say About II.

Local astronomers, like those OF
other places, are at sea when it comes
to discussion of the visitor. Doctor
Swazey does not like to take decided
stand until he has made observations
sufficient to predicate an opinion on.
de cannot tell from the information
at hand whether the comet that ap.
peared on yesterday morning is new
comet or an old one come back. His
views or coDjectures may be summoned
up briefly thus.
Astronomers have been expecting
the comet Of 1911 or 1872 to make its
appearance about this time. This
comet was supposed by some to have
period Of seventy years. 1t has been
said that it may be Harry comet,
which came and went in 1929 or there
abouts, but that can hardly be posi-
BILE, as Harry's comet has longer pc
rlod. The comet OF Judea, known to
the Christian world as the star of
Bethlehem, has been expected. This
one has returned several times since
it appeared to light the path of the
wise men 1900 years ago, the last time
about 1870
ITS APPEARANCE
about this period has been predicted
for many years. 1t was seen in 9l5
and 1894 or thereabouts IN the con
stellation Of Cassiopea, low down in
thenortbern heavens. 1t may be that
noted star which blazed out in the
heavens in the sixteenth century with
such marvellous brilliancy that it could
be seen at midday. 1t was first seen
in 1913, and remained for II months,
when 1t disappeared. 1t was brighter
than stars of the first magnitude. 1t
is scarcely possible that yesterdays
stranger can be this celebrated star.
There are about 10 comets in the
solar system known to the astronomers
Of our day, and it cannot be known to
certainty until two or three observa-
tions have been taken whether this is
new body or a veteran. AS soon as
its movements and measurements are
taken all questions one way or the
other will be set at rest.
Professor Hough made a careful
observation at $3.50, but at the hour OF
writing the result could not be ascer-
tanned. The Professor is disposed to
think this is a stranger. 1t certainly
gives promise of being a big fellow,
and it may stay several weeks or
months. Credulous people will be.
lieve that dire disaster is pending
They never see or hear of comet
without thinking the world is coming
to an end. Believers in
MOTHER SYMPTOMS PROPHECY
will take a wonderful delight in re.
garding the visitation as forerunnel
of the humiliation of the world
Many of our older citizens will recall
with superstitious shivers the scene.
enacted when the comet of l843 swept
across. the skies, and thousands ofmen
women and children prepared for the
destruction of the world, which was
predicted by Miller. In all parts oil
the country the 'Millerites got ready
for transportation. They had theil
ascension robes prepared, and were
ready to respond to the summons at a
moments notice. 1t so happened
that the comet that year passed very
close to the sun, and to this day the
wise star gazers differ when asked to
tell what would have happened had
there been a collision. Some hold
that nothing would have hap
pened and that the tail
of comet is as harmless as fog, but a
large majority of the people hold to
the belief that the whole solar system
would have been knocked into "pi p
had the two bodies come in contact;
that the sun and all planets would be
almost instantly converted into vapor
by the awful heat, and that every
thing will be consumed and obIiter.
ated. Those who are Of this way of
thinking do not lose sleep for fear
they will miss Gabrisl's cornet solo.
and be left when the day of iudg
ment shall have come. As they will
be vapOrized they will rise naturally.
without trumpet signal. Vapor
could not keep from rising.
The whole reading world will await
COMET DEVELOPMENTS
with unconcealed interest. There is
an uncertainty about vagrant stars Of
this description that feeds the imagi-
nation. Every new theory or discov-
cry will be discussed and debate d
with eagorness. The people hunger
for comet literature.