The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-22

point, is the result of mathematical pom
dering of a high order, and is, moreover,
entirely independent of those occult
forces, electricity and magnetism"
1t maintains that the sun is ejectIng
matter of different degrees of density, with
different degrees of velocity, and in case
of great initial velocity to distances in
tinitely remote.
When an advancing tailless comet,
partly composed of vaporous atmosphere,
encounters one of those outgoing coronal
streams, its luminous yapors are, TO use an
untechnlcal expression, brushed along in
the same direction, while the glowing but
Invisible stream, somewhat delayed by the
contact, is overtaken by successive portions of
its own volume, and thus becoming visible
through increased density, aids in forming the
phantom-like tail.
All peculiarities and variations are plaus-
IDLY accounted for by the varying con-
ditions OF the outgoing streams, includ-
ing the small tail seen in a few rare cases
to develop toward the sun. This, Professor
Schaeberle finds. has only occurred when
comet is recedlng with great velocity. An out
going corQnal stream is then outstripped in
speed by the outgoing comet, and its conden-
sation and visibility take place in reversed
direction.
The accompanying illustration shows the
suns corona as photographed at Nina Bronces,
Chile, on April 16 1888 by the author of this
theory. A telescope study OF its details fully
on other occasions, and as he explains, the Sc
yerest test OF any given theory is It's ability to
account for the abnormal deviations from
typical form. The difference in cometary ap-
pendages is a difference in the direction and
velocity of the outgoing stream. Several tails
show that several streams have been encoun-
tered, and a sharp curve in the tail tells of a
crossing OF streams. AS in the outer spaces of
the solar system these emanations of matter
are necessarily sparser in substance and num-
Der, the comet comes and goes as q tailless,
slightly luminous mass.
''We have no direct evidence he states,
that the sun IS an electrified body. We have
direct evidence that the sun is continually
eJectfng enormous quantities OF material par
ticles of matter with very great velocity"
As is well known Lord Kelvin, one OF the
greatest of living physicists, is opposed to the
theory that the sun thrills the solar system
with magnetic action from time to time, or has
any connection with magnetic storms on the
earth, Notwithstanding the striking coinci-
dence OF this period with that of the maximum
sunspot period.
1t would be expected from this mechanical
theory OF the formation OF comets tails that
surface would collide with streams forming
a wide angle with each other, and thus de-
velop a width of tail not usually
seen; but several known to have, passed
onal streams have not had the broad
shouldeTed aspect nor the fan-shaped tail that
WOULD be looked for. Indeed, the great comet
of lS43, noted for its close approach at peri
helion, had according TO all accounts an aspect
conspicuously the reverse. Otherwise this
ingenious theory that is founded on observa-
ton and mechanical laws seems TO solve many
difficulties, and with advancing knowledge
may find further corroboration in the course
of time.
Cometic history, incomplete and unsatisfac-
tory though II be, often furnishes information
which proves that many of the peculiarities
observed in modern times have had their coun-
terpart in the past.
Brilliancy that defed even the obscuring
effect of daylight is attributed to many that
appeared before the present century, so that
the splendor OF recent comets, notably those of
1S43, 1858 and 1882, was not unwonted
phenomenon. The case OF a comet dividing into
fragments dates as far back as 81 B. c., and
many-tailed, crooked-tailed and rapidly chang
ing comets are also on record.
The English astronomer, HALEY, who was
practically concerned in the publication of
'Newton's Principal" understood well the pos
sl6ie effect OF planetary influence on cometary
orbits, though evidence of having such infiu-
ence disturb an orbit has only been cleaned in
modern times. When cometary path is found
TO be identical with that of some comet or
comets previously observed they are regarded
as one body and recognized as periodic.
Were 1t not for past records HALEY could
never have identified the comet of 1852 as the
same visitor that had illuminated the heavens
on several previous occasions. AS its period
seemed TO be about seventy-five ana half
years, he predicted its return in 1889 and
When he had passed away from earth this
celestlal Wanderer placed the pinnacle on his
lame by returning in due time. Few have such
a monument to revive, periodically, the mem
DRY OF their renoWn.
Being new object to the present generation
OF astronomers, and having never been OBJ
served with the recent facilities for inyestiga
uon, us next appearance in 1911 is already
anticipated with interest. Having reached the
point OF its orbit farthes from the sun in 1873,
according to reliable calculations, it is by this
time lar advanced on its return trip and nearer
10 tne sun and earth than the planet Neptune
Inc astronomer Hind traced its record back
10 i b. e., so that on twenty-five distinct oc-
caslons 1t has met the gaze of the wondering
world.
The great comet of 1850 appeared at a time
When the motions and orbits of these bodies |
were attracting the attention of men of science,
ana II aroused the interest and investigations
that led to the discovery of the period of
ID alleys comet. Unlike the latter, its long
period OF 800 years de5ars it from identified
tlon IN the past and perhaps also in the future |
A writer IN Popular Astronomy, 1894 conveys
an excellent idea of the scale of its elongated
orbit compared with that of the earth which |
may be briefly presented as follows: Imagine |
wire circle two inches in diameter to be the |
earth's path round the sun, then fine wire
one hundredth of an inch in thickness form |
Ing elllOSe n feet in 1enUth and oplr X