The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-06-17

heavenly 6odtee Ih&6 may DO seen During
the Present Year.
Scientific AHeieua
Several periodical comets may be ex-
pected to return to perihelion during the
present year. Encke's comet has already
put in an appearances, having passed its
perihelion on the 9TH Of March. 1t was
detected IN 1884, but, as comets technical.
ly belong to the year in which they pass
perihelion, Encke'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 1855,
though It's periodicy was not discovered
until 1919. Since that time II has not
failed to make us visit at intervals Of
about 81 years.
0lherS comet Is another celestial guest
whose return Is looked for during the
present year. It was discovered by Oilers
in 1915, and wss found by BeEsel to- have
a period Of about seventy-fve years. II
will, therefore, probably appear either
this year or the next. 1t will be as warm
" welcomed, If It deignto make US o sec
ond visit, rs the comet Of 1Sl2, orthe
Pons- Brooks comet, was last year, for it
will rank as third on the list OF comets Of
q long period that have made more than
one record return. Halley's comet, with
q period Of about seventy i've years, stands
first on the list. It has been traced back
TO the year 1856, and since that time has
make five record returns, the last being in
1885. Il will be due m10ll. The comet
Of 1872, or the Pons. Brooks comet, made
Its first recorded return daring the last
year. II the comet Of 1915, or 0lbers'
comet, visit Us during this year or the sue
ceeding one, the solar system can rejoice
in the possession Of three comets Of q long
period, as they are called, to distinguish
them from the larger family Of comets Of a
short period.
Temples comet Of 1867 was expected to
reach perihelion in April. 1t has aperiod
of about six years, was first observed in
1867, was seen again in 1873 aud 1879, and
was due In April, but has not yet made
It's appearance. 0nthe 18th Of March DR..
Gadtier. Of Geneva, discovered suspic-
ious celestial object, that was thought to
be the expected visitor. Diligent search
was made for it at the principal obserya-
tories, but without success, for the object
seen proved to be o far-away nebnla.
Either some unforseen calamity has de-
layed its advent, or one OF the giant plan
cts has turned it into q new course by its
resistleEs power Of attraction.
Tempel also discovered o second comet
OF short period inIsG9. It was discov-
cred by Swift In 1880, when lis periodicity
was determined. It Is consequently
known as Swift's comet, and has q period
OF 81 years. It Is expected to return to
perihelion at the end Of the year. But it
Is likely TO pass unseen at It's present re-
turn, as It did In 1870, being, in like man
ner, In an unfavorable position for obser-
walton.
One more comet closes the list Of mem-
bers Of the eometic family that are ex.
pected to return to perihelion In 1885. It
Is Tuttle's comet, aud seems to occupy 8
position Of lis own, having q period Of ISL
years, and therefore ranking neither with
comets Of q long period nor with those Of
short period. It.Wss first discovered by
Mechain in 1900, and Tediscoyered by Tut
tie In 1858, whenits periodicity was recog-
mixed. It was observed In 1871, passing
its perfhelion in November. It Is there.
fore due IN July Of the present year.