The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-07-24
COMETS.
Wanderers That May Come In View This
Year.

Year.
Several periodical comets may be
expected to return to perihelion during
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 perihelion.
Encke's comet finds place on the re-
cords of 1885. This comet is our old
est friend among the class to which it
belongs, for it was first seen in 1886,
though its periodicity was not discov-
cred until 1919. Since that time it
has not failed to make us visit at in
tervals of about three and third
years.
Olbers' comet is another celestial
guest whose return is looked for dur
ing the present year. 1t was discov-
cred by Olbers in 1915, and was found
by Bessel to have period of seventy
five years. 1t will, therefore, probably
appear either this year or the next.
1t will be as warmly welcomed, If it
deign to make us 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
record return. Hailey's comet, with
a period of about seventy-five years,
stands first on the list. 1t has been trac-
ed back to the year 1456, and since
that time has made five record returns,
the last being in 1885. 1t will be due
~ nf
Pons-Brook comet, made it first re-
corded return during last year. If the
comet of 1915, or Oilers comet, visits
us this year or the succeeding one the
solar system can rejoice in the posses
sion of three comets of long period,
as they are called, to distinguish them
from the larger family of comets of a
short period.
Temples comet of 1867 was expect
ed to reach perihelion in April. 1t has
a period of about six years, was first
observed in 1867, was seen again in
1873 and 1879, and was due in April,
but has not yet made its appearance.
On the 18th of March, DR.. Gautler, OF
Geneva, discovered suspicious ce-
lestial that was thought to be tho ex-
pected visitor. Diligent search was
made for it at the principal observa-
tories, but without success, for the
object soon proved to be faraway
nebula. Either some unforeseen ca
lamity has delayed its advent. or one
of the giant planets has turned it into
new course by its resistless power OF
attraction.
Tempel also discovered second
comet of a short period IN 1869. 1t
was discovered by Swift in 1880, when
its periodicity was determined. 1t is
likely to pass unseen at its present re-
turn, as 1t did in 1875, being, in like
manner, in an unfavorable position for
observation.
One more comet closes the list OF
members of the cometic family that
are expected to return to perihellon
in 1885. 1t is Tuttle's comet, and
seems to occupy position of its own,
having a period of thirteen and a half
years, and therefore ranking neither
with comets of long period nor with
those of short period. 1t was first
discovered by Mechain in 1880 and
rediscovered by Tuttle in 1858, when
its periodicity was recognized. 1t
was observed in 1871, passing its peri
helion in November. 1t is therefore
due in July of the present year.
Scientific Anlerican.