Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-13
TIRE COMETS or 1889.
Strange Lights ia the Heavens which
May Soon be Visible.

Strange Lights ia the Heavens which
May Soon be Visible.
Several periodical comets may be ex-
pected to return to perihelion during the
present year. Encke's comet has already
put in an appearance, having passed its
perihelion on March Z. 1t was detected
in 1884, put as comets technically 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
il was first seen in 1856, though its period
lefty 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.
Oilers comet is another celestial guest
whose return is looked for during the
present year. IL was discovered by OIL
bers in 1916, and was found by Bessel to
have period Of about - years. IL viii,
therefore, probably appear either this
year or the next. 1t will be as warmly
welcomed, If II deign 30 make us IA second
visit, as the comet Of 1872, or the Pons-
Brooks comet, was last year, TOR it will
rank as third on the list Of comets of a
long period that have made more than one
record returned. Halley's comet, with
period Of about 10 years. stands tirstOn the
list. II has been traced back 20 the year
l426, and since that time has made five
recorded returns, the last being in 1898 1t
will be due in 1911. The comet OF 1912,
or the POns- Brooks comet, made its first
recorded return during the last year. II
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 long
period, as they are called, to distinguish
them from the larger family of comets of
a short period.
Tempsrs comet OF 1867 was expected TO
reach perihelion 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 II bias not yet made
it's appearance. On March Is Or. Gautier,
Of Geneva, discovered a suspicious celes-
tial object that was thought 10 he the eX-
pected visitor. Diligent search was made
for it at the principal ObseryatOries, but
without success, for the object seen proved
To be a far away nebula. Either some un-
fOreseen calamity has delayed its advent
or one Of the giant planets has turned II
into II new course by its resistless power
OF attraction.
Tempe also discovered a second comet
Of a short period in 1869. IL was dis
covered by Swift in 1851, when it's peri
Odcity was determined. IL is cOnse-
quenty known as Switt's comet, and has
period OF i've and half wears. Ii is
expected % return 20 periheliOn at the
end Of the year. But II is likely to pass
unseen at its present return. as IL did in
1870, being, in like manner, IN an I'M
favorable position for observation.
one more comet closes the list Of mem
beers Of the cOmetic family that are eX-
pected TO return 10 perihehOn In 1885. IL
- Tuttle's comet, ana seems 20 occupy a
position OF its own, having a period OF
thirteen and "A half years, and therefore
period nor with those of short period
Il was first discovered by Mechain in
1890, and rediscoyered by futile in 1858,
when It's perlodicity was recognized. IL
was observed in 1871 passing It's perihelion
Ia November. IL Is therefore due this
month.