Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-04-27
''nEC0Mr
The Celestial Stranger Now Being
Observed by Scientists.

Observed by Scientists.
washington Star.
A new comet has made its appear
ance in the heavens. The astronomers
had no knowledge of its coming until
it had arrived, and the entire proceed
ing is irregular in the extreme. But
comet is nothing if it is not irregular.
1t is the Byron of the heavens. 1t
won't conform to the established GUS
toms of socity. 1t departs as rapidly
as it comes, and in consequence very
little is known Of the graceless inter
loper. The present comet, however, is
being observed by the astronomers
with the view of ascertaining its pro-
bable size and orbit. A Star reporter
happening to meet Prof. Rock, of the
Naval observatory, asked him what he
knew about the comet. :.
VERY little" responded the profes.
sOr, Gas yet. 1t is an unexpected comet
and a new conner, or, perhaps it may
be the return of an old comet 1t can
only be observed now by the telescope,
and sufficient data has not been OBJ
tanned to predict as to its size and
character"
evil it be visible to the naked cye?"
asked the reporter for the benefit of
the young people who are about to re-
sumo their astronomical studies on the
front doorstep.
THAT depends on its sizs. As it
pears tho sun it will become visible
that is to say when it gets as near to
the sun as the earth is 10 the sun.
But the majority of comets make but
little show on account of their small
size. You see, when a comet contains
great deal of matter it becomes a
very striking object in the heavens, for
as it nears the sun the heat vaporizes
the substance. which spreads out to-
ward the sun in luminous forms, called
the envelopes. These, by the repulsion
of the sun, stream away from the solar
luminary for untold distances, forming
the tail"
"Will this comet be a large one ?"
asked the reporter.
at is impossible to tell you, as it is
too far of. 1t is gradually approach
ing"
ais there any interest attached to
! ILLS COulOGI
"Its principal interest to the public
replied the astronomer, evil be if it is
large enough to be visible to the naked
eye. The amateur astronomers will al.
so have the fun of finding it in the
heavens"
! "Of what interest is it to astrono-
?" pursued the reporter.
| int 0c infn io 1a IL
of the orbits of comets in relation to
the streams Of meteors that circle
about the sun. The great interest, how
ever, centers in the opportunity which
it will afford of studying its constitu
ton by means of the srectroscope
Comets afford the best means for such
a study, as they come within distance
of the earth even less than that of the
sun. If the nature of comets is de-
termined, it will be a great step to-
ward determining the constitution of
all bodies. The information in this re.
gard is very meager, on account of
there having been no good meteors
since the spectroscope was invented"
"Do the astronomers expect much
for this comet?' asked the reporter.
"No. There is no indication what
it is as yet"
Is there any hard or solid substance
in comets?"
"That is an open question as yet, "
said the astronomer. zone theory is
that comet is composed of incandes-
cent vapor, while another theory main
tains that it is made up of finely
divided solid matter,-like whirlwind
of sand, you might say,-except that
the fragments are not, of course, OF
uniform size. 1t is probable that a
comet is composed of both vapor and
matter, ard as it nears the sun it is
vapOriZed.
"Where does this matter come
frCm?"
81 don't know" said the scientist
"YOu might as we'll ask where the
matter that comprises the earth comes
from. If we knew one we would
know the other"
"ls there much known about com.
cts ?"
81 think there is less known about
comets than anything else in astrono
N.Y."
The professor did not seem to think
that the new visitor was of thrilling
interest, and said that he had not paid
much attention to the matter. From
another source it was ascertained that
the comet would not be visible before
next month.
A Well Developed Ear.
Texas siftings.