Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-09-14
The New Star That Has Lit its Lamp i'm
the Heavens-The Nebula OF andre
media, and What an Astronomer SAYS
About 1t.

The astronomers are now all busy watching
and studying the new star in the nebula of An
dromda. Prof. Asaph Hall, of the Naval OBJ
servatory, was found by STAR reporter in
tently looking through the telescope at the new
star. He invited the reporter to take peep at
the bright little speck in the blue vault of
heaven which has; created such commotion
among scientists on this mundane sphere.
Through the telescope the star appeared to
have attained full growth as compared with its
neighbors. Descending from his seat Of obser.
walton, Prof Hall, in response to the reporters
request Tor information with regard to the new
1.-THE great nebula in Andromeda is the Oldest
nebula known to astronomers since it is visible
to the naked eye. and was found before the in
vention Of the telescope. Observations of this
in connection with the discovery OF q bright
star in this nebula that the old astronomers
had theory that it was variable both in
brightness and In shape. Since the invention
and use of good telescopes it has been common
among astronomers to ascribe the changes sus-
pected formerly to imperfect telescopes and in
accurate descriptions Of this nebula. 1t is pos
sib!e, however, that the bright star discovered
by Mr.. Hartwig may be variable one of regu-
lar period. Should this prove to be SO the Old
astronomers may have been right in their sus-
plcions OF variability of brightness in this
This nebula has been observed bv manv as.
tronomers, and several good drawings have
been made. 1t Is very much extended, and
generally faint but with two or three bright,
condensed parts. 1t has an extension of about
two degrees and probably it is this great exten.
sion that renders such an object visible to the
Herschei in 1855 as follows: 1t is undoubtedly
the nearest OF all the great nebule; it's extent
Is about degree and one-half in length, and,
| than sixteen minutes in breadth. The bright
est part of II approaches to the receivable nebu.
the
and magnitude of nebular, believe to be an
indication that its distance in its colored parts
does not exceed two thousand times the dis
perhaps the best description is by Sir John
Herschel in 1926, who says: AT present it has
| its center, but the brightness, which increases
by regular graduation from the circumference
suddenly acquires great accession, SO as to
offer the appearance of nipple as it were in the
middle, Of very small diameter, but totally de-
void of any distinct outline; that it is impos-
sible to say precisely where the nucleus ends
and the nebula begins Its nebulosity is OF
the most perfectly milky absolutely irresolva-
bic kind, without the slightest tendency to that
nebula of Orion, nor is there any sort of appear
ance OF the smallest star in the center of the
nipple This nebula is oval, very bright, and OF
great magnitude, and altogether a most mag.
nificent object There are many small stars
scattered through this nebula, and it is proba-
BILE that it is one of these small stars that has
blazed out near what Herschel calls the .nippie
of the nebula-"
AvARIABLE STAR.
froI Hall addeo When asked for his opinion
| as to the star, that though the scientists had
pursued their Investigations diligently, they
| were still more or less puzzled over the new
visitor: In his opinion it is what is called q
variable star. He explained that there are
certain stars which attain increased brilliancy
and for time shine forth from the agglomera-
ton OF almost indistinguishables stars surround
ing them; then they suddenly fade frow view
and become once more part of the nebulous
cloud which gave them birth. He had satisfied
himself that this is star of that character
The professor expressed the belief that this
star instead OF being a new one, had existed for
centuries, and has now been brought to
view either through Its own revolutions in the
heavens or else through the laws which govern
the variable stars. He said its brilliancy had
been exaggerated, and that only time and fur
mine definitely the origin and nature of the