Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-12
The Comets.

THREB OF THEM NOW WITHIN TELEeCoPIC HAILING
DIsTANCE-A NEW BODY, SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN
BROKEN OFF FROM THE GREAT COMET-wHAT Is
SAID AT THE OBSERVATORY.
The presence Of three comets IN our sky, at the
present time, affords a pleasant diversion to the
astronomers wearied with the routine Of astro-
nomical work. The clouds that overcast the sky
this morning prevented observations from being
made OF the new comet announced by Prot
Schmidt at Athens Yesterday morning Prof Fris-
by and Mr.. Wfnlock, at the Naval Observatory,
continued their observations OF Cruls comet, and
Prof. Frisby observed Barnards comet The
clouds made observing very difficult, though at
one time it aided in producing very beautiful ef-
feet, several parallel cloud drifts apparently divd
ing the monster comet into sections
THE OLD COMETS.
Prot. Frisby said to STAR reporter to-day, that
he estimated the position of Barnard's comet to be
at o'clock yesterday morning about 10 hours,
"a minutes right ascension, and Is degrees, min
uteS declinatOn south. The clouds and approach
Ing daylight prevent any accurate observation
This comet is a telescope comet, and as observed
mass of cometary matter somewhat resembling a
small nebula, ill-defined but nearly circular and
without a tall Crurs comet so far as could be
estimated, presented to the observers yesterday,
the same appearance as during the last two or
three days. The outer envelope was we'll marked
The extended nucleus was only seen 1ndstinctly
On account OF clouds. Its position was estimated
approximately at 80 am. to be 10 hours 25 min
utes, IA seconds right ascension and II degreSs 16
III.
THE NEW COMET
The cloudy weather this morning was particu-
1arly annoying to scientific men who desired to
observe the new object announced by the Athen-
ian astronomer. The statement by Prof. Swift OF
Rochester, that the new COMETS fragment OF the
great comet broken off In grazing the sun OBJ
tanned some consideration from the learned gen.
tlemen at the observatory this morning. The
meager information contained In the cablegram,
and the possibility that even that has been mutt
lated in Its passage incline astronomers to be
full in baSing any calculation or announcement
upon it. The terms used in describing the position
and motion OF the newly discovered body are not
very definite. ST." said Prot Frisby, sit is only
four degrees away from the great comet, and has
the same motion, there are grounds for suspicion
that 1t Is q fragment OF the great comet. Then,
again, there is an objection to this theory. II it
is four degrees away 1t Is, in linear measurement
hardly possible that fragment could get so far
away. 1t may be many times that distance but
appear to be only four degrees distance as pro-
jected on the celestial sphere"
HOW 1T MAY BIZ FOUND OUT.
By carefully determining the orbit of the new
body the Professor said and then ascertaining the
point where 1t meets the orbit OF the old comet IL
1t does meet. 1t may not only be determined whe-
ther 1t Is a fragment OF the great comet, but the
precise point where the explosion or separation
occurred may be discovered.
"Can 1t be" said THE STAR reporter, talking to
number OF assembled star-gaZers, ''that the new
comet Is piece Of the sun knocked off by the big
comet In his perlhelion passage7"
II So" said grave astronomer, sit would not
be likely to have the same orbit"
'' 1t is good time for us to speculate" said an
months no one will have chance to confute our
SDeculatlOnSn