The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-12-13
Re.Appearance Of the Comet Of 1919.

On the Sd of September Mr.. Brooks,
Of Phelps, New York, discovered tele-
scopic comet. Its advent was quickly
made known to the scientific world,
and it was described as round
and faint, and having no tail. Its
course was toward the earth, and it was
hoped. that it would become visible to
the naked eye in two or three months.
1t was generally accepted as a new
conner making its first visit to the cline
of the sun, and was known as comet
Brooks, or comet 1888.
Instead, however, of being new
conner, this comet is an old friend that
made its first recorded visit in 1872,
and is known as Pons' comet, from the
name of the discoverer, or, more SIM
ply, as the comet of 1872. Encke, an
astronomer of the time, found that the
comet moved in an ellipse, with prob
able period of nearly seventy-one years,
SO that its return was looked for about
this time.
The Rev. George Searle, of New
York, was the observer who discovered
the identity of comet Brooks and the
comet of 1872.
Cometic astronomy was comparatively
in its infancy when Encke made the
computation of the orbit of this comet.
1t is simply wonderful that, with the
data at his command, he should have
reached a result so nearly accurate.
Within a few years, however, two series
of observations of the comet have been
discovered which. were unknown to
Encke. Two French astronomers,
Messrs. Schulhof and Bossert, under
took to compute the orbit, using all the
data known. The Paris Observatory
published the result of their labors in a
pamphlet of 200 pages. From time to
time the enthusiastic French observers
issued memoranda of the probable posi-
ton of the comet when near enough to
be seen. Unfortunately, the first OBJ
servations of comet Brooks did not
seem to agree with the French ephem-
eris, and it was hastily concluded that
| the erratic visitor was new member
of the cometic family, come to take it;
first peep at our little planet.
The Rev. Mr.. Searle studied the ques
ton more carefully and verified the com
putations more accurately. He PROVED
beyond question that the positions
marked out for comet Brooks were
| identical at the time of observation witt
those in which comet would be fount
that was travelling in the ellipse com
puted by Encke. He went further
using the new orbit of the French
| astronomers, and proving that thu
! comet was observed in the exact posi-
ton where it should have been fount
according to the orbit itcomputed sevent.
years ago.
There is therefore no shadow of
doubt that our eyes behold the long ex
pected comet of 1872. Its periheliol
passage will take place on the 25th
| january, 1884. 1t will then be abou
100000 miles distant from the earth
two-thirds the distance of the sun.
In 1912 the comet presented, whel
discovered in July, the appearance Q
an irregular nebulous mass, with tn
tail entirely wanting. In Septembe
the nucleus was five minutes In diam
eter and the tail was two degrees sev
enteen minutes in length. Though nc
very bright it was distinctly visible t
the naked eye, and was observed TO
ten weeks before it disappeared in tn
star depths. The returning comet
when first seen, presented similar ele
ments. About the Esd of September
however, a remarkable and unexpecte
outburst occurred, the nucleus expand
ing into confused circular nebulou
patch of light, and the comet increasin
many times in brilliancy in the cours
of two or three days. On the Esd tn
nebulous mass was two minutes in d
ameter; on the oath it was four mir
utes in diameter and shone with luste
equaling star of the seventh magn
tude. The activity of the display is a.
most unparalleled in cometic history
and is specially noteworthy on accoun
of the comets great distance from tn
sun at the present time. Since thi
curious outburst the comet has been
well-behaved member of the family, bu
it is impossible to predict what vagar
it may next indulge in.
The comet of 1872 may now be see
in the evening in the northwest in
telescope of moderate power, and
said to be visible in good opera glas:
In a few weeks it will be easily pei
ceptible to the unassisted eye, an
when the year 1884 makes its adven
it will be near its eliminating poin
1t will not equal the suberb comet {
1882 in size or brilliancy, but it will b
visible in the evening sky and will be s
much more convenient to observe ths
there will be compensation in its le'
sened splendor.
1t is an astronomical triumph, ths
with the inadequate means at comman
for computing an ephemeris, an astrt
nomer seventy years ago was able
predict nearly the exact time for tn
comets return. Our ancient friend
winging its swift fight toward us, an
before long our eyes will be gladdene
by sight of its face after long travt
of threescore years and ten, whe
almost every eye that noted its first al
pearance has ceased to behold the shil
ing picture that nightly arches over til
earth. There are several comets wit
a computed period of from seventy
seventy-five years. Halley's come
with a period of seventy-five years
the only one of them that has mad
more than one return. Its last appea
ance was in 1885, and it is next expecte
in 1911. The comet of 1872 with
period of seventy-one years now r
cords its first return. The comet
1915 with a period of seventy-fol
years is confidently anticipated in 1oS
Scientific american.