Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-07-18
Comets Of 1885.

STRANGE LIGHTS IN THE HEAVENS WHICH
NAY SOON BE VISIBLE.
From the Scientific American.
Several periodical comets may be expected to
return to perihelion during the present year.
Encke's comet has already put in an appear.
ance, having passed its perihelion or the eth Of
March. 1t was detected in 1884, but, as comets
technically belong to the year in which they
pass periheliOn, Encke's comet finds place on
the records of 1855. This comet is our oldest
friend among the class to which 1t belongs. for
1t was first seen in $50, though its pcriodicity
was not discovered until 1919. Since that
time 1t has not failed to make us n visit at in
tervals of about three and one-third years.
Oilers comet is another celestial guest whose
return Is looked for during the present year. 1t
was discovered by Oilers in 1915, and was
years. 1t will, therefore. probably appear either
this year or the next 1t will be as warmly well
coined: II II aeign to make US second visit, as
was last year, for it will rank third on the
list OF comets of long period that have made
with period of about as years. stands first on
the list. 1t has been traced back to the year
1926, and since that time has made five record
returns, the last being i'm 1885. II will be due
In 1911. The comet Of 1912, or the Pons- Brooks
comet, made its first recorded return during
comet. visits us during this year or the succeed
ing one, the solar system can rejoice in the pos
session of three comets o: o long period, as they
are called, to distinguish them from the larger
family OF comets of a short period.
Tempel's comet of 1867 was expected to reach
periheuon in April. 1t has period OF about
six years, was first observed in 1867, was seen
again III 1873 and 1879, and WAS due in April,
but has not yet made its appearance. On March
13 DR.. Gautier, of Geneva discovered suspi-
cious celestial object that was thought to be the
expected visitor. Diligent search was made tor
1t at the principal Observatories, but without
success for the object seen proved to be a far
away nebula. Either some unforeseen calam-
ity has delayed it's advent, or one OF the giant
planets has turned 1t into new course by its
reSstless power of attraction.
Tempcl also discovered q second comet of a
short period in 1869. 1t was discovered by
Swift in 1880, when Its periodicity was determ-
1ned. 1t Is consequently known as SwifTs
comet. and has a period of five and half years.
1t Is expected to return to perihelion at the end
of the year. But 1t is likely to pass unseen at
its present return, as 1t did in 1870, being, i'm
like manner in an unfavorable position for OBJ
Servation.
One more comet closes the list of members OF
the cOmetic family that are expected to return
to periheliOn in 1855. 1t is Tuttles comet, and
seems to occupy position OF lis own, having a
period OF thirteen and half years and there
fore ranking neither with comets of a long pc
riod nor with those of a short period. 1t was
first discovered by Mcchain in 1870, and re-
discovered by Tuttle in 1858, when its period.
lefty was recognized 1t was observed in 1871
passing its perihelion in November. 1t is there
fore due In July OF the present year.