The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-06-27
Comets Due in 1885.

Several periodical comets may be |
expected to return to perihelion dur
ing the 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 peri
helion, Encke's comet finds place on
the records of 1885. This comet is our
oldest friend among the class to which
1t belongs, for it was first seen in 1776.
though it's periodicity was not dis
covered till 1919. Since that time it
has not failed to make us visit at
intervals of about three and half
years.
Oilers comet is another celestial
guest whose return is looked for dur
ing the present year. 1t was discov.
cred by Oilers in 1915, and was found
by Bessel to have period of about
rs years. 1t will therefore probably
appear either this year or next. 1t
will be as warmly welcomed, if il
deign to make us a 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
recorded return. Halleys's comet,
with a period Ofabout rs years, stands
first on the list. 1t has been traced
back to the year 1856, and since that
time has made five recorded 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 return during the last year.
If the comet of 1915, or Oilers comet
visit us during this year or the sue
ceeding one, the solar system can re-
joice in the possession of three comets
of long period, as they are called
to distinguish them from the larger
family of comets of short period.
Temples comet of 1867 was expect
ed to rea rh periheliOn in April. 1t
has period of about 6 years, was
first observed in 1867, was seen again
in 1873 and 1879, and was due in
April, but has not yet made its APP
pearance. On the 18th OF March, DR..
Gautier, of Geneva, discovered sus-
picious celestial object, that was
thought to be the expected visitor.
Diligent search was made for it at the
principal observations, but without
success. for the object seen proved to
be far away nehula. Either some
unforeseen calamity has delayed its
advent, or one of the giant planets
has turned it into new course by
its resistIess power Of attraction.
Temple also discovered a second
comet of short period in 1869, 1t
was re-discovered by Swift in 1880.
when it's periodicity was determined.
1t is consequently known as Swift's
comet, and has period of five and a
HAIL years. AZ 10 IN pOCtCu w iCtuih
to perihelfon at the end of the year.
But it is likely to pass unseen at its
present return, as it did in 1875, be-
ing, in like manner, in an unfavOra-
bly, position for observation.
One more comet closes the list of
members of the cometic family that
are expected to return to perihelion
In 1885. It is Tuttle's comet, and
seems to occupy position of its own,
having a period of thirteen and
half years, and therefore ranking
neither with comets Of long period
nor with those of a short period. 1t
was first discovered by Mechain in
1890, and re-discovered by futile in
1858, when its periodicity was recog-
nized. 1t was obs sryed in 1871, pass
ing its perihelion in November. 1t
is therefore due in July of the present
year.