The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-13
Re.Appearance of the Comet of 1912

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 b 1888.
Instead. however, CT being a new
conner, this CO.. 5 On old friend that
made its tsirst recorded visit in 1872,
and is known as Pons' comet, from the
name of the discOverer, or, more SIM
Div, as the comet of 1912. 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
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 10 agree with the French ephem-
eris, and it was hastily concluded that
the erratic visitor was a new member
of the cometic family, come to take its
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 with
those in which comet would be found
that was travelling in the ellipse COM
puted by Encke. He went further,
using the new orbit of the French
astronomers, and proving that the
comet was observed in the exact posi-
ton where it should have been found
according to the orbit computed seventy
years ago.
There is therefore no shadow of
doubt that our eyes behold the long ex- /
pected comet of 1872. Its perihelion
passage will take place on the 18th of
January, 1894. 1t will then be about
$4,000, 900 miles distant from the earth,
two-thirds the distance of the sun.
In 1912 the comet presented, when
discovered in July, the appearance OF
an irregular nebulouS mass, with the
tail entirely wanting. In September
the nucleus was five minutes in diam
eter and the tail was two degrees sew
enteen minutes in length. Though not
very bright it was distinctly visible to
the naked eye, and was observed for
ten weeks before it disappeared in the
star depths. The returning comet,
when first seen, presented similar ele-
ments. About the 23d of September,
however, a remarkable and unexpected
OutburSt occurred, the nucleus expand
ing into a confused circular nebulous
patch of light, and the comet increasing
many times in brilliancy in the course
of two or three days. On the Esd the (
nebulous mass was two minutes in di-
ameter; on the oath it was four min
uteS in diameter and shone with luster
8 81,
tude. The activity of the display is al |
most unparalleled in cometic history, |.
and is specially noteworthy on account |
of the comets great distance from the |
sun ut the present time. Since this !
curious outburst the comet has been a
well-behaved member of the family, but /
it is impossible to predict what vagary !
it may next indulge in.
The comet of 1912 may now be seen I
in the evening in the northwest in a
telescope of moderate power, and is /
said to be visible in good opera glass. |
In Il few weeks it will be easily per- /
ceptible to the unassisted eye, and |
when the wear 1884 makes its advent, |
il will be near its eliminating point. /
1t will not equal the Suberb comet of /
1882 in size or brilliancy, but il will be /
visible in the evening sky and will be 50 /
much more convenient to observe that .
there will be compensation in its les
sened spiendor.
1t is an astronomical triumph, that
with the inadequate means at command
for computing an ephemeris, an astro-
homer seventy Years ago was able to
predict nearly the exact time for this
comets return. Our ancient friend is
its swift flight toward us, and
before long our eyes will be gladdened
by sight of its face after long travel
Of threescore years and ten, when
almost every eye that noted its first APP
rearance has ceased to behold the shin
ing picture that nightly arches over the
Earth. There are several comets with
, computed period of from seventy to
seventy-five years. Halley's comet
With n period of seyenty-tive years is
he only one of them that has made
more than one return. Its last appear
luce was in 1885, and it is next expected
n 1911. The comet of 1912 with 4
,eriod of seveHtv-one years now re-
lords its first return. The comet of
1918 with a period of seventy-four
fears is confidently anticipated in 1889.
Scientific american.
l. l.