The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-07-18
COMETS OF 1885
STRANGE LIGHTS l.; THE HEAVENS WNIru
MAY sDuS BE VISIBLE.

Several periodical comets may be
expected to return to pcrihnlion
du ing the present year llnckc's
comet has already put in appear
nncc, having passed its pcrihclion
Oh the 7th of March. 1t was de-
tected in 1884, but. MS comets tech
nically belong 90 the year in which
they pass pcrihclion Enckc's comet
finds place on the records Of 1880.
This comet is our oldest friend
among the class to which it belongs,
for it was first seen 1856, though its
pcriodicity was not discovered until
1919. Since that time it has not
failed to make us a visit at intervals
of about three and one third years.
Olbcrs' comet is another celestial
guest whose return is looked for
during the present year. 1t was
discovered by Olbers in 1915, and
was found by Bessel to have pc
riod of about seventy-fve years. It
will, therefore, probably appear
either this year or the next. 1t will
be as warmly welcomed, if it design
to make us Il 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 Il
long period that have made more
than one record return. Halley's
comet, with a period of about sew
enty-fye 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 in 1885. 1t will be due in
1911. The comet of 1912, or the
Pons-Brooks comet, made it first
recorded return during the last
year. If the comet of 1915, or
Oilers comet, visits us during this
year or the succeeding one, the solar
system can 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
Il short period.
Tcmpel's comet Of 1867 was cx-
pectcd to reach perihclion in April.
1t has a period of about six years,
was first observed in 1867, was seen
again in 1878 and 1879, and was due
in April, but has not yet made its
appearance. On March 13 DR.. Gau-
tier, of Geneva, discovered Il suspic-
ious celestial object that was thought
to be the expected visitor Diligcnt
search was made for it at the prin-
cipal obscrvatorios, but without sue
cess, for the object seen proved to be
Il far away nebula Either some un-
forscen calamity has delayed its adj
vent or one of the giant planets has
turned it into new course by its
rcsistlcss power Of attraction.
Tcmpcl also discovered 4 second
comet of a short period in 1867
1t was discovered by Swist in 1880,
when its periodicity was determined.
1t is consequently known as Swiit's
comet, and has Il period of five and
and Il half years. 1t is expected to
return to pcrihelion at the end Of
the year. But it is likely to pass
unseen at its present return, as it
did in 1873, being, in like manner
it has an untavorable position for
observation.
One more comet closes the list OF
members Of the comctic family that
are expected to return to perihcliou
in 1885. 1t is Tuttlc's comet, and
seems to occupy Il posision of its
own, having period of thirteen
and half years, and therefore rank
ing neither with comets of long
period nor with those Of short
: period. Il was first discovered by
Mechuin in 1890, and rcdiscovcreC
. by Tuttlc in 1858, when its pcriodi
city was recognized. 1t was oh
served in 1871, passing its peri
= helion in November. 1t is there
: fore due in July Of the present year
TIE Prince OF WALEs.-Th,
> Prince of Wales, who in his earl,
G education enjoyed the influence 0
i his wise father and his devote,
i mother, was married to the daugmc
! OF the King of Denmark, and du.
- ing the preparations for his wcddin
Il the Prince expressed his calmcs
If wish that the military should nc
= be called out on his wedding day t
i keep order, as is usual on state oc
!. casions. He felt that civil authorit
- would be sufficient.
IS This mild expression of royt
k feeling added greatly to the unive
v sal Joy and enthusiasm of the pee
l. pie, and carried to all hearts IL
f, most genuine and effective power t
u promote peace and good-will.-En,
II lish Woman's Diary,
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