The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-11-21

The Celestial Visitor is Expected to Give
Us Fine Illumination Even If 1t Does
Not Make the Earth a Target-Astron-
omers Say 1t May Appear Larger Than
the Full Moon, Although Not So Bril-
liant.
New YORK, November 20-A remark
able comet has appeared in the heavens
and is attracting the attention of astron-
omers throughout the world. Already
it has caused more scientific speculation
and calculation than any other comet
which has approached the earth during
the present century.
The as yet unknown and unidentified
visitor was discovered about midnight of
November 9th, and has just become visi-
BILE to the naked eye, but according to
calculations already made, it will by
Sunday night, November 9th, appear to
the naked eye to be as large as the full
m DON and perhaps two or three times
as large.
The comet, since its discovery, has ap-
parently been coming through space di-
rectly and exactly toward tina earth, and
the astronomers say that at its nearest
point to this planet it will be nearer the
earth than any comet has ever been be-
fore. In fact there is a bare possibility
that the celestial visitor may yet strike
the earth, though the astronomers say
that even should such an event happen
No Damage to the Earth
could by any possibility occur.
The principal reason the comet which
has just come into sight has caused such
an interest to astronomers is that it is
barely possible the visitor may be the
long lost Bielas comet which has never
been seen since 1872. The earth, on No
ve-1ber 9th of that year, unexpectedly
p; sed through part of Biela's comet,
which then appeared in the heavens in
the form of the most remarkable shower
of burning aerolites seen since 1888.
On this occasion Professor Klinkerfues,
the astronomerin Gottingen, telegraphed
to Professor Pogson, the astronomer, in
Madras, India, as follows: "Biela
touched earth on the 9th; search near
Theta Centauri.'
Biela's comet, which was named after
the Austrian astronomer of that name.
| WAO Ql5COfClCN ~ III COl y 1oAO3 NoO
at first one of the most regular of COM
cts in it's orbit and in the period of its
return that was ever known. 1t appeared
at regular intervals of about six and
three-quarters years. and the time of its
successive returns, up to and including
1S45, was always calculated to within a
very close interval.
In December, 1S45, the comet split
into two pieces before the very eyes of
the astronomers, with an explosion of
such force as to separate the two parts
by distance of 177000 miles within
twenty-four hours.
When the time came for the comet to
re-appear, in 1852, it did not come, nor
did it reappear in 1859 nor in 1856. In
November, 1872, although it did not ap-
pear in the sky as it had done on previ-
Gus occasions, the great shower of mete-
ors which fell on the date the comet was
due at that point in it's orbit nearest the
earth caused it to be conceded that
IThe Long-Lost Comet.
had finally been disrupted. Since 1872
the comet has failed to appear, although
it was due in 1879 and 1886.
Although the comet promises to ap-
pear larger on Nov. 81 than the full
moon, even if it does not strike us, it
will not shine with an equal intensity.
The moon is 100 miles in diameter, and
is about 250,000 miles away. Professor
Lewis Boss of the Dudley Observatory
in Albany, calculates that the comet will
come within 100000 miles of us, or
four times the distance to the moon.
Therefore, if the comet were only the
same size as the moon, or 2. 100 miles in
diameter, it would appear only one-six-
teenth as large.
But in reality it is nearly twenty times
as large as the moon. and, therefore, at a
distance of ! 200, 900 miles it will appear
one and one-fourth times as big as the
earth's satellite. Should the comet
come nearer then 1000, 900 miles it will
appear proportionately larger. Should
it strike the earth at night it would,
shortly before the cont act, fill almost
the entire heaven.
Garrett A. Serviss, the well known as
tronomer, is now lecturing at the New
Park Theatre in Brooklyn, and he spoke
yesterday of the comet and assured his
audience that they need not worry, for
the comet could not hurt them. When
the lecturer said this his hearers ap-
plauded and gave united sigh of relief.
After the lecture Mr.. Serviss was asked
to speak more specifically concerning the
comet In reply he said!
II observed the comet last night.
Owing to the fact that it is coming so di-
rectly toward the earth it is difficult to
obtain observations as to its speed. tits
coming, however, at the rate of millions
of miles a day.. Whenit reaches it's near
est point to us, it will be nearer than any
other comet has ever been in the history
Of astronomy, and it will probably APP
pear to the naked eye several times as
large as the moon, although not so bright
Regarding the force of it's possible
contact with the earth, we can say that
it would probably not be dangerous. The
head of the comet manifests an inclina-
ton to become more compact, but
doubt if there is much solid matter in it,
in comparison to its great diameter of
perhaps 40, 900 miles.
s.There may be portions of solid mat
ter in it fifty miles in diameter, but not
larger, l think Except through the
center of it / could see stars shine. which
shows that much of it, as usual, is gas.
Even fit should strike the earth, which
cannot be determined for several days
vat the solid matter [ think. would be