The Iola register., 1886-06-04
A NEW NEauLA.
The Wonderful Results Of IN Experiment
Reeently MAde IN Paris.

- I'VE" uVSOOS0s
Ehs Wondsrfal Results Of IN Experiment
Recently Mads In Paris.
The Paris observatory has in success
full working order an ingenious and ef-
fective apparatus for celestial photog-
raphy. MessrA Paul and Prosper
Henry, able and earnest workers at the
photographed. by means
of this apparatus. the well-known clus-
ter of stars called the Pleiades ON the
18th of last November. Greatly to
their surprise, new neb1la made its
appearance on the Photographic plate.
This wonderful agent pictured an OBJ
ject which their closest observation
through the large telescope of the Paris
observatory failed to detect. In order
to make assurance doubly sure, the
cluster was photographed three times
subsequently, on the Sth and 9th of
December and on the Sth of January.
The result was always the same. The
neb-ia was plainly discerned in the
photograph, and refused to appear to
the eye of the observer in the telescope.
The Messrs. Henry have published .
drawing of the new nebula. 1t has q
curious and weird appearance. 1t
seems to start from Maia, one Of the
seven sisters of the group, moving at
first toward the west and then turning
suddenly toward the north and at last
fading into invisibility. and 1t dis
tance of about three seconds from the
star. A more distinct and ill-defined
portion of the nebula makes its way to
the south. The nebula is very intense
and takes on a plainly marked spiral
form, bearing q resemblance to gro
tesque and one-sided solar corona. and
suggesting the great nebula of Orion
on small scale.
The discovery of the nebula in the
Pleiades has revived the memory of
mysterious objects that have been seen
from time to time among the stars of
this group. In 1873 Jeaurat published
chart of the Pleiades on which a
nebula appears near the star Atlas. In
1859 Tempel discovered nebula in the
same cluster. near the star Merope,
which was seen BY several other OBJ
servers. Both of these nefula have
disappeared. and the nebula discovered
by the Henrys occupies an entirely diff
ferent place, apparently branching out
from Maia Three. therefore, of the
stars composing the Pleiades either are
or have been surrounded by nebulouS
masses.
The most interesting fact concerning
the new nebula is that related by Prof.
Pickering, of the Harvard college OBJ
servatory. A photograph of the Plci-
AIDES was taken at the observatory on
the Sd of November that developed cer-
tain Irregularities. 1t was exhibited
on the 10th of the same month at the
Albany meeting of the National Acad-
envy of Sciences. These Irregularities
were discussed, and supposed to be due
to defects in the Photographic process.
The photographs have been re-exam-
ined since the discovery of the Henrys.
One of the irregularities so closely cor
responds to the new nebula that no
doubt can exist in regard to its origin.
1t must represent light photograph
ically perceptible in the vicinity OF
Maia. The other markings on the
Cambridge photograph have acquired
a new interest. There seems to be in
dications of nebuloss light about Mer-
Ope. and 4 faint, narrow streak of light
projecting from one side of Electra.
Thus American astronomers came near
winning the honor that was won thir-
teen DAYS later BY Paris astronomers.
Although the Messrs. Henry have thus
far been unable to detect the new neb-
ula by the aid Of the telescope, other
astronomers have been more successful
NJ. Perrotin. of the observatory of Nice,
where the atmospheric conditions are
far more favorable than in Paris. an.
nounces that he has seen the famous
new nebula. The observation was
made February %. and the feat was
accomplished by masking Maia. The
nebula was again observed March j
and 4, not only BY NJ. Perrotin, but by
his companions. Messrs. Thellou and
CARLOS.
The Importance of photography in
exploring the heavens can not be too
highly appreciated. 1t is claimed tina,
with the telescope now in use the
human eye can detect no stars smaller
than those of the fourteenth magni.
tude. Photography then can pierce to
depth of space beyond the power OF
the sense of sight. What wonders may
be developed through its agency in the
future! Mapping the starry heavens
is but one department Of astronomical
photography, but its value words may
not calculate. The astronomers of the
closing portion of the nineteenth
century are thus enabled to bequeath
to those who come after them an exact
picture of the starlit sky. When these
maps are referred 10 one hundred
years. or even fifty years, hence every
departure from the records, every dis
appearance of star, every appear
ance of q new star. every change OF
position will mark the occurrence Of
some stupendous event in the economy
Of the material universe. Observation
piled upon observation IS the only
means by which at present the inhab-
itants of this little planet may hope to
discover the secrets now hidden in the
star depths.-Providence Journal.
OISCOUNTiNG BILLS.
An Old Merchant Tells Now He No1es