The morning times., 1896-08-02

During the course Of my astronomical
studies, l have discovered up to the pres
ent time twenty comets, pre-eminent among
which is that one known To the scientife
world as Brooks scientific comet, which
has Just been Observed on its return toward
the sun. This comet is so-cailed from the
fact that IL wasI who had he good fortune
to discover and iocatethe heavenly traveller.
Acting in my capacity as director OF the
Smith observatory at Geneva, New York,
1 was studying the heavens during the early
morning hours Of July 8, $50, when no
ticed what appeared to be a new star. A
longer survey Convinced me that 1 had
discovered a new comet, and l at once
proceeded to locate il. 1t was in the Con-
ste!iation Cetus, on the end Of the tail OF
Whale It's exact astronomical position at
the time of discovery was, right ascen-
sion % hours, A minutes, 80 seconds.
Declination south degrees, 10 minutes.
In figure /, 1 have shown the teic-
scopic neid OF stars in which the comet was
discovered The comet was moving, at
the time of the discovery, very slowly in
a Eortheasteriy direction. This apparent
sIowness of motion was due to the great
distance OF the comet from the Garth. and
1t took over a week for it to move out VI
the telescope field of discovery. When
first discovered II appeared very faint and
indistinct. but became brighter with each
y.
iaiIon OF IT'S ornit showed thaJ the Comet
was one moving in an elliptical orbit of a
period ola little over seven years
1t was. in consequence, a most valua-
BILE scientific discovery. for it added an
other known member to our solar sys-
TEN. In one respect, also, this Brooks
Periodical Comet stands unique in the
annals OF ASTRONOMICAL research. This
was that when seen through the most
IF toll of
Europe, it showed four smaller comets
which Travelled around as conpan ions
to the larger one in its journey through
space. These lesser comets appeared to
travel as an advance guard. as it WERE
ahead of the big one. The one most re-
mote WAS apparently leading. and the
others following it in a direct line and at
regular intervals. 1t is for the reason that
this comet has these lesser ones accom-
panying IL. that il is sometimes called
the Brooks Multiple Comet. In the cut. the
largest comet Is the first discovered by me
and that which bears my name. while the
ones preceding IL are lesser companions.
Another interesting fact in connection
with the comet is that soon after its dis
covery in 1889. it was found by cofnput-
ing backward that this same comet had
previously been moving in an orbit with
n thirty year period. but that in 1856, or
three wears previous to its discovery by
me. it had passed SO close to the planet
Jupiter. that the powerful attraction of
this great planet had entirely changed
its orbit from its thirty-ye per1od 10
its present one OF a little over seven years
| period. 100.
Al the date referred to, 1856, the
comet was so iutermingled with the Jupiter
| satellite system that it is believed that
| hunters newly discovered fifth moon Is
| but n part of the Brooks comet, a fragment
capturei as it were from the comet by
| the superior attraction of Jupiter.
This comet was the fifteenth discovered
by me- and since thea l have discovered
| five more, and this record or twenty
| comets which / hare discovered is unsur
passed by any astronomer or the world
| in this department OF scientific research
| When located this year by the astronomers
| at Nice the comet was IN right ASCENSION
| % hours 25 minutes 3S seconds declina-
| ton south 1s degrees 80 minutes seconds
I Many or the other comets discovered by
me are, ike this one. of the highest
| scientific interest, and whenever visible
! add to our information rega riding the solar
system. WIN. r. BROOKS