The Penn's Grove record., 1885-07-11
comets Due in 1851

Several periodical comets may be ex-
pected to return to %perihelion during
the present year. Encke's comet mas
already put in an appearance, having
passed its ]perihelOn on the fth OF
March, Ii was detected in 1854, but as
comets technically belong to the year N
which they pass ~peTihelion, Encke.s
comet finds place on the records OF 1889.
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 till 1919. Since
that time, it has not failed to make usa
visit at intervals of about % 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 found by Bees
sci to have a period of about 20 years.
It will therefore probably appear either
this year or next. 1t viii be as warmly
welcomed, If it delgn to make us a
second visit, as the comet of lSlZ, OF
the POHs Brooks comet, was last year,
for it will rank as third on the list OF
comets of a long period that have made
more than n recorded return. Hal
LEWIS comet, with a period OF about 20
years. stands first CD the list. 1t has
been traced back TO the year l456, and
since that time has made D recorded
returns, the last being IN 1880. II Will
be due in ,gll. The comet Of ISL, or
the POns Brook comet, made It's hrsl
recorded return during the last year.
If the comet of 1915, or Oilers comet,
visit US during this year OF the succeed
ing one, the solar system a rejoice IN
the possession of three comets OF a 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 perhelIon in April. 1t has a
period of about & years, was first Obsei-
we'd in 1867, was seen again 1919 n
1889 and was due in April, but has not
vet made it's appearance. On the l2Jh
of March, DR.. Gautter, of Geneva, dis
covered a suspicious celestial object,
that was thought To be the expected
visitor. Diligent search was made for II
at the principal o~bservatoTies, but with
out success, for the object seen proved TO
beafar away neubla. Either some untor-
seen calamity has delayed its advent, or
one Of the giant planets has turned It
into a new course by its Tesistless power
Of attraction.
TempeI also discovered a second
comet of a short period in 1863. 1t was
r~ediscovered by Swift In 1880, when Its
periodicity was determined. 1t is con.
seouently known as Swift's comet, and
has a period of 81 years. 1t is expected
to return to perlhelion at the end of the
year. But it is likely to pass unseen at
its present return, asi tx did III 1915, being,
in like Manner, in an unfayorable posi-
ton for observation.
One more comet closes the list oil
members of the cometic family that are
expected to return to perihelion in 1850.
1t is Tuttle's comet, and seems to occu-
by a position of its own, having a period
of 49, years, and therefore ranking
neither with comets Of a long period MOI
with those of a short period. 1t was
first discovered by Mechain IN 1890, and
rediscoveTed by futile in 1858, when It's
p~eriodicity was recognized. 1t was Oh
served In 1881, passing its perihelioh ID
November. 1t is therefore due in July
of the present year.