The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-11-01
MYRIADS OF STARS.
Grand Meteoric Display Expected Next
Month.
Washington Post.

ing body there could be no rest. The
forces which compelled the larger
body to follow through countless ages
certain path were at work as we'll
among the bursted and flying particles.
They fell into line, the larger frag-
ments taking the head of the line and
the smaller particles falling in behind
FOR a million miles and more, and the
unending journey, interrupted for a
while, was taken up again along the
old path.
The course of Tempel's comet and
Of it's subsequent PARTICLES completely
encircles the orbit of the earth, touch
ing it only at one point on its outer
edge. Continuing, it crosses the orbits
of Jupiter and Saturn and extends a
few millions Of miles beyond tnat Of
Uranus. In shape the orbit Of Tenn
pel's comet is elliptical. It's length
is ;enty times that of the orbit of
the earth.
Gone of the most interesting ques-
tions that will be brought up for de-
termination during the coming visit
Of the November meteors is connected
with their first presence in the solar
system. There is well founded
theory to the effect that Tempels S
comet was originally drawn into the
solar system by the planet Uranus,
and this year the exact date Of its
coming will probably be proven by
actual observation said Prof. Will
liam A. Harkness, who is in charge of
the astronomical department Of the
naval observatory, in the course of an
interview.
"We are unable to predict the exact
hour at which the November meteoric
showers will begin. But it is esti-
mated that the showers will reach
their maximum brilliancy at l o'clock
a. m, the morning Of November Is.
Although these meteorids reyolve
around the sun in definite orbit, the
point Of their intersection with the
orbit Of the earth moves forward at
the rate of degree and a half per
year, thus throwing the advent of the
meteors few hours later at each sue
ceeding fall. For example, the fall Of
1883 occurred on the night of Novem-
Der 13; the fall Of 1899 will take place
on the evening Of the 18th Of Novem-
Der, and will probably be Of some
hours duration. 1t will be visible
throughout the whole Of the North
American continent and in Europe
and Asia.
ORIGIN OF THEIR NAME.
"The November meteors receive the
nome of Leonids from the fact that
thep seem to pour out from that part
of the heavens wherein is located the
constellation of Leo. When this con-
stellation is at it's zenith, it is almost
overhead at Washington. In weight
these meteors vary from few grains
to many pounds. They strike the
earth atmosphere, and begin to burn
at the height Of seventy-four miles,
and are generally entirely consumed
at height of fifty miles.
"The phenomenon of a great meteoric
shower is generally perfectly noise
less one. When the streak is first
formed it il narrow and perfectly
straight, but it soon becomes serpen-
tine and assumes an irregular figure
as it drifts along under the influence
of the wind currents in the upper
region of the atmosphere. Tie streaks
are of various colors, owing partly to
substances and partly to their altl-
tude. Some are of delicate grcensh
hue, while others light up the skies
with ruddy glow. Streaks of orange,
red, white and blush white commiDgle
to form most remarkable and beauti-
full spectacle. Occasionally au orange
colored meteor may be observed leaving
in its wake streak of green. A pc
culiarity Of the November meteors is
that the nucleus shoots ahead OF the
streak before vanishing. The indl-
vidual meteors vary greatly in size,
Some Of the larger of the meteors ap'
pear to be half the size of the moon
Interspersed with the meteoroids is
an occasional freball, which, in burst.
ing, causes shadows to be cast upor
the ground, SO intense is the light
generated for the moment. There is
no reason that in such instances a:
this the sound Of bursting should not
reach the ears of spectators. The
| streaks left in the case Of hrebal]s Of
the first magnitude last in some case:
for several hours.