Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-07-08
COMETS OF 1885.
Strange Lights In the Heavens which May
Soon be Visible.
Scientific AUasriag1

strange Lights In the Heavens Which May
Soon be Visible.
Scientific American,
Several periodical comets NAV be expect.
ed TO return to periheion during TIE present
year. Encke's comet has already put in an
appearance, having passed Its perihelion on
the 7th OF March. 1t was detected in 1884,
but, as comets technically belong to the
year in which they pass perihelion, Eucke's
comet finds place on the records of 1885.
This comet is our oldest friend among the
class to which it belongs, for it was first
seen IN 1856, though its periodicity was not
discovered until 1919. Since that time it
has not failed to make Us q visit at inter
walls of about three and one-third years.
Oilers comet is another celestial guest
whose return is looked for during the pres
ent year. 1t was discovered By Oilers in
1915, and was found by Bessel to have q
period of about seyenty6ye years. 1t will
therefore, probably appear either this year
or the next Il viii Dc as warmly welcomed,
II 1t deign to make Us second visit, as the
comet Of 1912, or the Pons- Brooks comet
was last year, for it will rank as third on
the list OF comets of long period that have
made more than one record return. Hal.
ley's comet, with q period Of about seventy
Eve years, stands first on the list. 1t has
been traced back to the year 1926, and
since thar tine has made Eve record returns,
the last being in 1885. 1t will be due in
1911. The comet of 1912, or the Pons
Brooks comet, made its first recorded re-
turn during the last year If the comet Of
1915, or Oilers comet, visits rs during this
year or the succeeding one, the solar sys-
tenn can rejoice in the possession OF three
comets of long period, as they are called,
to distinguish them from the larger family
of comets of o short period.
Temples comet of 1861 was expected to
reach periheion in April. 1t has period
of about six years, was first observed IN
1867, was seen again in 1873 and 1879. aud
was due in April, but has not yet made Its
appearance. On March Is Dr.. Gautier, OF
Geneva, discovered q suspicious celestial
object that was thought to be the expected
visitor. Diigent search was made at the
principal obseryatories, but without success,
for the object seen proved to be far away
nebuls. Either some unforeseen calamity
has delayed its advent or one OF the giant
planets has turned it into new course BY
its resistless power of attraction.
Tempel also discovered second comet
of short period in 1869. 1t was discover
ed BY Swift in 1880, when its poriodicity was
determined. 1t is consequently known as
Swift's comet, and has period OF i've and
a half years. It is expected to return to
perihelion at the end of the year. But 1t Is
likely to pass unseen at its present return,
as it did in 1875, being, in like manner, IN
on unfavorsble position for observation.
One more comet closes the list of mem;
hers Of the cometic family that are expected
TO return to perihelion in 1885. 1t IS Tut,
lies comet, and seems to occupy position,
IS ia own. having a period of thirteen aud
a half years, and therefore ranking. neither
With comets of long period nor with those
of short period. twas first discovered 10y oy
Mechain in 1890, and rediscoysred BY Tut
tle In 1858 when its periodicity was recog-
nizsd. It was observed in 1871, passing It's
rsr;6elion in November. It's therefore due
In July of the present year.