The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-05-11
[Scientific Americana
Comet u 1882.

Comet u 1882.
The first comet of the present yea
has been discovered. Mr. c. 8. Wells
an assistant at the Dudley Observa
tory, Albany, was the fortunate finder
and there is fair prospect that the
celestial visitor will prove brilliant
member Of the cometic family. The
comet was picked up ON the 18th OF
March, in the constellation Hercules
It had then a tail five minutes long
and a bright nucleus, shining like a
star of the eighth magnitude. The
tidings Of the discovery quickly made
its way over the civilized world, and
the newcomer has been closely watch
ed by practical observers through the
best telescopes, whenever the sky has
been clear enough to permit a glimpse
of it's presence. It behaves much like
other members Of the same family un-
der the same conditions, increasing in
brightness, spreading out its gossamer
train, and speeding swiftly on a course
that every day brings it nearer to ter
restrial territory. In the short time
that has elapsed since its first appear
ance it has travelled many million
miles through the blue depths of
space, nearly doubled its light, and
more than doubled its tail.
Astronomers are busy in watching
its movements, noting it's indications,
computing its elements, and deducing
from these premises an ephemeris that
will be a guide to IT'S present position
in the sky, and means Of detecting
by comparison of orbits whether the
mysterious stranger is an old friend
renewing acquaintance or whether
this is its first visit to the cline of the
sun.
Mr.. S. G. Chandler, Jr., Of the Har-
ward Observatory, has computed the
elements, and an ephemeris of the
comet, from observations made at Ann
Arbor and Cambridge, which, howev-
er, can only be considered as approx
mate, until confirmed and strength
ened by future observations. Profess
sor Boss, of the Dudley Observatory,
has made similar computations, his re-
suits differing considerably from those
Of Mr.. Chandler. The medium Of the
two computations is probably more
reliable guide to the path of the comet
Some interesting facts and possibil
tiles may be deduced from the COM
bined labors Of the two brilliant as
tronomers who are first in the field
Comet a is remarkable for its small
perihelion distance. According to
Mr.. Chandler it will come within a
hundred thousand miles of the sun,
passing through the corona and per-
haps grazing the photosphere. Mr..
Boss estimates the distance at ten
million miles, but both observers agree
in prophesying very near approach.
Few instances are recorded of comets
coming so near the sun. Those Of
1880, 1843, and 1880 had nearly the
same perihelion distance, but these
dates are considered by many astron-
omers as marking repeated returns Of
the same comet.
The new comet makes its perihelion
passage about the middle Of June, and
a magnificent display may be antici-
pated about that time. It is note
worthy for It's great brilliancy under
present conditions. 1t is now nearly
two hundred million miles distant, and
yet it has bright, well defined nu-
cleus, and a well developed tail 1t is
reasonable, therefore, to infer that it
is large comet, since it presents so
brilliant an aspect at distance so I'M
mcnse. As it IS coming toward us at
the rate Of 100000 miles day, it
cannot long remain invisible to the
naked eye.
This is the history Of Comet a, as
far as it is known, but there is rich
promise Of an entertaining visitor in
our sky duriug the months Of April,
May. and June. The erratic stranger
is moving westward and northward,
having greatly changed its position
since it was discovered. It has passed
from Hercules into Lyra, within few
degrees Of the brilliant Vega, has now
reached the confines Of Draco, and Is
making its way into Cepheus, where
it will arrive some time i'll May, when
it will make a sudden turn and seem
to plunge headLong toward the sun
till it reaches that fearful proximity
to the great luminary which is 8
groundless cause of anxiety in many
minds.
Those who know the most about
cometic astronomy are the least dis
turbed concerning any untoward accl'
dents in its passage; and astronomers
are looking forward to its close ap
nroach to the sun as a possible mean;
of learning something concerning tht
physical structure of the huge glob'
Of fire that is intimately and insepara
I bly, interviewer with the destiny o
the human race.
The elements of the orbit of Come
a are thus. given by Professor Boss
Time Of perihelion passage, June 10