Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-12
4 SHOWER OF
METEORS DUE.
It Occurs Three Times a Century and
Astronomical Students Tell Us
10 Look Out for it
This Week.

In Old emma IL USED 10 De Inc CuStOli
to decapitate an astronomer If his pre-
dictions were not realized and If this
method of treatment prevailed In this
country to-day it is doubtful II many
scientists could be found to risk their
heads in predicting a meteoric shower
to occur this month. OF course, as Is
we'll known, such shower OF meteors
is expected, but it Is quite possible that
those who hope to witness the display
may be disappointed. For several years
astronomers have watched the heavens
on the nights of November IA and 10.
looking eagerly for meteors and few
have appeared to reward their patience.
The simple fact Of the case is that the
astronomers, with all their knowledge,
know very little about the Leonids, and
while, according to every method OF
reckoning, the long anticipated shower
is due this year it may not come at all
or it may content itself with sending
few meteors as forerunner and post
pone the big show until next year.
While these remarks are made in
justice to the science of astronomy, in
the hope that they may prepare a few
eager watchers for a possible disap-
pointment, it will be well for everyone
to be on the watch for the grand dis
play in case it occurs. Up to the pres
ent time there have been two meteoric
showers in this century, the first in
1888 and the second in 1866. The third
grand celestial parade is scheduled for
this year. Already a few of the heralds
have been seen, and if they have not
played us false the path of the meteors
should cross that of the earth on the
night of November IA. Then the earth
will pass obliquely through the stream
of failing stars as they are common
ly called, and there should be most
brilliant downpour of meteors lasting
for several hours. After that we shall
lose sight Of them, although it will be
three years before the last meteor has
passed away.
One who has not witnessed such an
event as that which we are anticipating
cannot appreciate what it means to
watch the marching of this celestial
army. The Leonids, as they are called,
keep together and its is one of these
swarms that we are expecting. There
will be millions of them. an almost
endless procession of falling STARS, my
RAIDS upon myriads of flying celestial
stones, and it is fondly hqped by all
astronomers that we shall pass directly
into the midst Of this display If the
exceptions are realized it will be
sight never to be forgotten.
DON'T BE ALARMED.
Naturally, the question arises as to
what will become of the earth under
such conditions, but this thought need
give even the most timid no alarm. If
the meteors were to fall as thickly as
snow-hakes they could do no damage,
for the earth is fully protected by Nat
ure from such celestial associates; the
atmosphere by which we are surround
ed being of such composition that the
great stones are changed into harm
less vapor before they have an oppor-
tunity to reach the ground on which
VIZ ic Nv ioh in,
the year during which meteors do not
fall all around us. Hundreds of thou
sands Of them are continually running
into our atmosphere and we should
never know it if occasionally we did
not see one Of them. 1t will therefore
be possible to enjoy the display with
cut fear of possible consequences
Some idea of the vast extent of this
display may be gathered from the facts
that the Leonids will reach in ranks
fully two thousand miles across. and
that, long as it takes them to pass, they
will be hurrying by at the rate of
twenty-six miles a second.
lutSe meleOrS are known as LeOnldS
for the reason that their paths, traced
backward, all radiate from point in
the constellation Leo To see the dis
play in ell its glory, one need only to
seek some elevated position and turn
the eye towards the area of sky occu-
pied by this constellation. 1t is easily
found and when found no telescope or
other instrument will be needed to as
sist the eye in the enjoyment of it's
feast of beauty.
Leo rises above the horizon Just be-
fore midnight and, hour by hour, con-
tinues his ascent into the sky. In the
early morning hours of November IA,
the time specified for the elimination
Of the shower, there will be a thin,
crescent moon, and if the night is free
from clouds the great spectacle may be
viewed in all its grandeur.
This Leonid army that we are so soon
to review consists of thousands of mill
ions of flying stones. Come of them are
little more than thin specks and yet
all are grouped in a great cluster COW
ering an area of hundreds of thousands