New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-15
STAR GAZER.S DISAPPOINTED.
CLOUDS PREVENT OBSERVATION OF THE
HEAVENS IN AND AROUND
NETWORK


| Disappointment with a big d laid in walt last
night for the people who had planned to watch for
neteors In and near this city. With dismay they
saw the cloudiness OF yesterday morning steadily
! thicken and finally turn into snow and rain thus
completely precludng any observation OF the
heavens.
Some other we'll known meteor showers are con-
siderate enough Of human convenience come
early In the evening When Lyrds. Perseds and
Andromedes appear at all they select the thea
tire OF their action part OF the heavens that can
be seen soon after sunset. And II must be con-
fessed that a we'll grounded prejudice has been en-
tertalned against the Leonds for what Is unques-
uonaby mere affectation in waiting until after mid
night before becoming visible.
This inexcusable peculiarly Of the Leonds has
been regarded with federation. however. for var-
Gus reasons great deal OF curiosity has been
excited in the popular mind about them, and curl
osity Is confessedly powerful motive. Then
again. scientific enthusiasm while a hard thing
for the non-scientihc TO understand, will lead a
man uncompainlngly into all sorts Of ncon-
venience and trouble. Moreover. wherever the old
Brooklyn custom OF kissing the nearest pretty
girl on the appearance OF meteor is in vogue
men have shown not altogether irrational dispo-
stion 10 sit from early evening to dawn watching
for Leonds. And so. from motive another.
d large proportion Of the populace had decided to
keep some sort Of lookout last night and. having
cree set their hearts on it, were much taken
weather
Some amateur and professional astronomers in
photograph the meteors II any should appear. AT
most OF the observa tories in the country cameras
were in readiness for such service The most
elaborate preparations Of this kind, probably. were
institutions similar plans were cherished Professor
Rees, at Columbia, had arranged to Cooperate,
assistants. Charles A. Post. who has a private
at Bsyp05t Long Island a9d has
eclipses. had counted on getting some nne meteor
Lembke' the Union square optician one of whose
specialties is the John Byrne telescope organized
the Museum the 4@5 af out
Although this is very Disappointing expert
ment of the Brooklyn Institute last evening. there
is still ample reason for remaining hopeful 1t is
possible that the shower will II II
cur at all until Wednesday night. Tomorrow.
where the weather was fine it may appear that no
Leonids worth mentioning were seen tonight. Re
earth had not yet encountered the main part of
the meteor swarm. Some OF the experts have ex-
/ a. m Thursday These forecasts are made with
caution. but there IS occasion for hoping that the
much n 3 Rs 0 dfy Is Rs %eahe G" sF
Wednesday night. therefore It will be wise to take
occasional slimpses Of the sky from IL p. M 10
The few stragglers observed at various points on
Tuesday morning must not be mistaken LOT the
denser part OF the stream. Nor should SUCH
meteors which Will undoubtedly be reported as
having been seen early on Wednesday morning.
The shower which astronomers are 5OohIls ~!
ought to be much more striking ana aDundah'
display" .,.
The first Leond OF the meteoric shower notieed
I'm Chicago was discovered by DR.. Laves sunday
morning about o'clock. He made two observatons
OF fifteen minutes each and in one saw meteor
which he said stray one in advance OF the
general shower. o,.
Professor Hough. director OF Dearborn Observa-
tory at North Western University, will with a
corps OF scientific professors. make elaborate oo-
servations OF the meteoric shower Tomorrow MORN
Ing II conditions permit. l-ot fr r..
At Williams Bay. Wis. the special appartps LOT LOT
obs nd phOtOgraUhinc meteOTlc
Is In place on the roof OF the Yerkes Observatory.
The new twentyfour inch rejecting telescope is SET
and sxteen cameras OF various sizes and angles are
ranged around it 20 cover that portion OF the
skv where the meteors are most likely 10 appear