The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-26
II is NOT THE BIELA COMET
Such Is the Opinion of Astronomers at
the Leading German Observatory. S
Prof Lamp Thinks 1t Is a New Visitor Making
Its First Appearance-A Cold Body That
Shines Only with Reflected Light.

NEW YORK, Nov. 2l.-The Herald's cor
respondent at Holstein, Prussia, cables the
following: The new comet. discovered by
Professor Holmes. is not the famous Biela
comet. Such IS the opinion of nearly all
ject. For fifty years past the Kiel OBSERVE
tory has been the central telegraphic bu.
reau for astronomers of the entire. world.
An astronomer, whenever he discovers any
new phenomena in the skies. at once flashes
off the news to KEEL. Here. by means of an
admirably arranged code. the news is at
once sent out to all observatories. even IS
far as Cape Town. Madras, Melbourne n
Rio de Jsneiro. Thus almost simultaneous
~ every astronomer focuses his telescope
to try and confirm or further develop the
value of the fret observations made.
Professor Kruger is the director OF the
Kiel Observatory. With him are Professors
Lamp and Kreuz. engaged in receiving and
distributing astronomical telegraphic news
and in editing the recognized official as
Economical organ. / called upon the pro-
fessors. It was Professor Lamp who first
saw the comet reported by Holmes. 1t had
got about in many quarters that Herr Ber-
berich, director of the Berlin Observatory.
had made the observations. That Is not 30.
Professor Berberlch Is an as~tronomicai
comDutator of the highest degree. who IS
SO engrossed with other work that he has
no time for observations. Over and above
that. the Berlin Observatory is OF small
value, being in the center of the town. ly-
ing low amid smoke. Professor Lamp said:
I'M Holmes. an amateur astronomer,
discovered on Nov. q q bright comet. which
. 10 una IN
constellation Andromeda. The discovery
was telegraphed by the witch O0serv-
atory to this observatory. The news was
telegraphed here at half-past = In the after
noon. | was very doubtful about Its being
the Blela comet, because 1t was said TO be
very bright observed 1t through clouds
on the Sth with q m~oderate-sized telescope
with q dice of only eight inches. On the
same date the comet was reported from
Vienna exactly at midnight by Herr Did
schOf. On the day following Herr Ber-
berich. of Berlin. telegraphed: Can it be
that of Holmes in connection with Bielaf"
A rough calculation seemed to confirm this,
but unfortunately that experienced coEl-
putstor. Herr Berberich, was misled by
two observations out OF three which he
made use of. Later observations, made at
Carlsbad. Rome. Gottingen and other
places. led Professor kreuz, of this OBJ
ervatory,t to the conclusion thatthere were
elements In the new comet discordant with
VIZ Va thO DtOA1 OAlO W.
servatIons confirmed this Upinion and yet
there are some astronomers who oplne that
it may be the Biela.
- certainly do not consider 1t to be the
Biela comet. but an entirely new comet
which has crossed the course of the Biela.
The Biela comet appears once In every six
and q half to seven years. This new comet
was very big and has changed very much
in aspect. 1t is now much weaker in light.
That is very much against its being the
Biela. Astronomers expect the Biela about
the 27th or the 18th of this month. Since
1852 the Biela has not been seen as q comet.
1t appeared in 1889 in the form of q meteor
shower. 1t again appeared IN the same
form in 1866. very weak in 1872. and in 1885
very brilliant, especially in southern
cllmes.'
"'Have you exchanged opinions with
other astronomers on this new cometP
Eyes. and they are generally Of the
opinion that it is nc: the Biela comet. 1t
is a new one. 1t will be called the Holmes
comet. and will be enumerated in proper
position like the rest. a~fterward,' said
Professor Kruger. who strongly affirmed
the opinion that the comet seen by Holmes
first is not the Bella"