The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-11-02
Baltimore SUM


A splendid meteoric display is ex-
pected about the midle of November,
and is being awaited with deep inter
est by astronomers. Speaking of it
Mr.. F. II. Tondorf, of Lovola College.
said yesterday:
"Probably none of the phenomena
Of nature attracted more public inter-
est than do those of the meteoric
showers. With the advent of these the
whole heavens become alive with
shooting stars of every brightness.
and the skies become veritable net
work of fire. Though every year
brings with it a repetition of these
celestial displays, still this year will
offer sight long to be remembered
by him who has the hardihood TO sit
up till after midnight TO watch. 1t
is an astronomical fact, well estab-
lished. that the period Of the max
imum displays OF the so-called Leon
ids is 335 years, this year falls with
in this range. the last time the earth
passed through this shower having
been Novembe 18th, 1866.
'.These showers will take place this
year on November 13, IA and ID.
Owing to the fact that the constel'a-
tion Leo, from which these showers
radiate, does not rise till after mid
night, it will be near the early hours
OF the morning before observations
should be carried on till near sunrise
The fact that the moon will be glib
serving the fainter shooting stars.
but will not mar the general effect
The fundamental and important OBJ
ject in observing these meteors is to
record their apparent paths in the
sky and the duration of flight. as
from this can be ascertained the
velocity and form Of orbit. This can
be done within a fairly good range
OF e1actness.
''It is we'll known that the sensitive
plate will reveal many secrets which
will slip the unaided or even aided
eye. This has but recently been
strikingly exempli!ied in the discov-
cry of the asteroid Eros and the
ninth satellite of Saturn. In con-
greatest importance to those inter
ested in meteoric photography. 1t is
by no means to be fancicd that the
photography OF these celestial wan
derers is to be restricted to the pro-
fessional astronomer, as anyone con-
versant with the art of photography
can realize interesting and astonish-
n
economical method that suggests
itself is as follows:
"Take an ordinary camera with a
lens of from an inch to three inches
in diameter and mount it on some
simple contrivance SO as to be easily
shifted into any position. Two boards
hinged together will fully answer the
purpose. Arrange this SO that the
camera points to the constellation
from which the shower radiates and
forcus the camera on any star OF the
first or second magnitude. On first
one would be tempted
to use the visual focus as being the
best, but experience will teach that
this is not the best, though not far
out. Ii rack and pinion be attached
the focusing tube ard the pinion be
graduated approximately into degrees
and minutes, more acurate focus
can be had. Set a dial to point at the |
zero when the visual focus is had. |
With this focus allow star OF first
or second magnitude to trail across
the plate for about five minutes.
Then turn the pinion to the right AMI |
left of the zero and allow the same
star to trail for about the same time
Note each Of the changes in the set
ting Of the pinion, as, likewise, the
relative positions Of the trails if but |
a single plate be used. Repeat this |
operation several times, with different |
readings of the pinion. being careful
to note each time the change on the
graduated scale.
sIn order to make sure of these |
several changes the camera might be
shifted slightly. After the plate OF
plates have been developed each of
he trails should be compared with
The trail obtained with the visual !
locus, and so the best focus can
be ascertained. AS this is q variable |
factor in each camera, separate test
will have to be applied to each instru
ment. With the camera focused and !
IN position the plate is inserted and
the time carefully noted. Each plate
should have special mork, SO that
they may be easily distinguished.
Any plate will answer the purpose.
varying from 40 to 60 /
minutes may be safely given. AS the
plate needs little or no attention after
it is once in working order the OBJ
server can make visual observations |
either with the naked eve, an opera
glass, preferably that of Bausch &
Lomb-Zeiss-these latter giving a /
much larger tield-or with a small
telescope, and thus note plates on
which meteor trails are likely to be /
traced.
During the past few years great I
impetus has been given to the study 4
of meteors by the several observato- |
ries Of this country. Harvard College !
Observatory deserves special mention.
Prof. Edward {. Pickering sends out /
yearly circulars with blank forms on /
which to record the time, color, bril- 1
iancy, etc, Of meteors observed. I.
Thus is collected a series Of observa- |
tions from all over this country and I
Europe. In addition, his force OF
is increased at this time /
TO attend to the several instruments /
specially fitted for this work. Last !
year the record of as many as 800
meteors was taken at Cambridge, /
Mass. We may hope that this year,
which promises such a rich display,