Evening journal., 1899-11-02

Leonids in the month of November had
been observed in the years 1866 and
1893, and their succession of years sug
gested to the astronomer Olbers that
there was probably a periodicity of
thirty-three years OF these November
showers. In the year 1897, he predicted
a shower for 1867, but it actually took
place in the preceding year-1S66. In
that year. at the Observatory of Green
wich, between 8 o'clock in the evening
and 8 o'clock in the morning 5,4S5
shooting stars were chrOnicled. At Ok
foRd, England, the shower OF shooting
stars when at its maximum was com
pared to the rockets in a display of
fireworks. Also in other places the
showers were remarkable, though in all
those places falling short OF that In
1888. The cause OF all meteor showers
Is this: The meteor swarm describes a
regular orbit around the sun and the
earth can encounter it only when she
Is at the point OF intersection of her
own orbit and that of the meteor
swarm This, of course. will and must
be always on the same day OF the year,
except as in the course OF time the path
of the motors shifts its position on
account of perturbations. Consequently,
the Leonid showers occur about No
vember 13.
The period of the Leonid showers in
the years 1893, 1888, 1866, being thirty
three years, we may expect in the COM
ing month, at the 1Sth or 14th or 18th,
a grand display OF meteors, for which
preparations have been made in many
of the observatories OF the world
ucfr frI
photograph the group, others will watch
the heavens and trace on prepared
maps of the stars the track OF any
well-observed meteor. If many OF
these tracks are obtained the accurate
position OF the radiant can be deter
mined and the orbit of the meteor
swarm be calculated The orbit of the
swarm has as yet not been so accurate
ly determined as to compute the exact
time of the appearance of the shower.
In 1893 II was seen from November IL
to IA; in 1888, during the night between
the 18th and 18th; in 1866, between the
18th and 14th. Those interested in a
phenomenon that in its maximum
brilliancy occurs but once in thirty
three years will be on the watch dur
ing the nights between the 18th ana
18TH OF November, especially in the
hours between midnight and the dawn
OF day, for the reason We have explain
ed above lt is sincerely to be wished
that at the time OF this marvellous dis
play of celestial fireworks the sky may
present serene appearance and not be
obscured by clouds that can cut out
any view.
A number of fine consultations will
be on the meridian about 9 o'clock in
the evening OF November. From the
northeast corner OF the Great Square
OF Pegasus we see the conspicuous con-
stellation Andromeda spread out in a
northeasterly direction The star mark
ing the corner of the square is Alpha
Andromedae or Alpheratz (sometimes
lettered Delta Pegasi). Il also marks
the head of Andromeda. Beta or Mi
rach, Is in the belt, and Gamma, or Al
mach, in her left foot. Following the
direction of this line Of stars, and bend
ing little toward the east, we see that
remarkable variable star, Beta Persei.
or Algol. This star. in connection with
Beta and Gamma, in Andromeda and
the Square Of Pegasus. really presents
q figure resembling in contour the Dip
per in she Great Bear. only on a larger
scale. II the handle OF this great Dip
per is made straight instead of being
bent, the star I'm the extremity is Alpha
Peisei. the highest In that constella-
tion.
The student familiar with the attrac.
tive legends OF Grecian antiquity re-
members the story OF Andromeda. the
daughter of King Cepheus and Queen
Caasiopeia, who, being changed to q
rock 10 walt for her destruction by the
sea monster, was rescued by the hero
Perseus. Juat as these four persons
are linked together in the legend We
also zee them close together in the
heavens Cassiopeia is situated on ths
opposite side OF the Pole star from tn,
Great Bear and at about the same dis
( s2nce. lts principal ccnfguration o.
hYe stars Is that Of a somewhat irregu.
lar ". aud these stars beginning urifi