Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-10-26
The Stars Will Fall.

On the night of November IA will
be witnessed one of the graudest spec
tacles which cosmic phenomena pre-
sent. This spectacle is that of the
fall of those meteorites known as Le-
onids.
"This fall of the meteorites, said
DR.. Dorsey in charge of the Johns
Hopkins observatory, will be visible
from the entire surface of the globe.
Scientists at Washington, Hanover and
other astronomical observatorles are
making most elaborate preparations
for the observance of this phenome-
non. There is now no work OF this
character at the Johns Hopkins Uni
versity. The smoke Of the city would
prevent any accuracy and the rum
bling Of the street cars prevent the
instruments from remaining in proper
position. The last professor OF astron-
omy has resigned, and no one has yet
been selected to take his place. it Is
quite likely that some of the students
will go to Washington to make obser-
tions.
1t is calculated that 2,000,000,000
miles of meteors will pass the earth.
These bodies in touching the atmos-
phere of this planet ignite, and mil
lions of them Will fall, appearing OF
all colors of the rainbow. This me-
teoric shower occurs but once in SO
years. Temple discovered that the
Leonids are fragments Of former
comet. The single meteorite, COM
monty called shooting star, is de-
tached fragment Of some shattered
planet. When it comes in contact
with some large body, gravity causes
it to fall. In course Of descent through
the atmosphere so much heat is gen
Grated that it is consumed before reach
ing the earth. The meteor, being
larger, continues its course, striking
the earth.
Neither the meteor or meteorlte
can be observed by the telescope, ex-
cept at the moment Of ignition, y the
professor continued. "On the other
hand the comet pursues a definite
course among the orbits Of the stars.
The time in which different comets
complete their orbits is known to as
tronomers. The exact rate they are
travelling can be determined and their
arrival predicted to second. These
Leonids are fragments Of a former
comet and are now following the
course pursued by that comet in for
mer ages.
According to Prof. Simon Newcome,
Temples comet has been dead $500
years. The intense heat generated
by the terrific rate OF speed at which
the comet revolved through space
caused it to explode. To-day the
greater fragments in front, the lesser
trailing along behind for millions OF
miles, keep up some rythmic motion
through space, and in the same course
as did the comet of former years. The
course of these fragments encircles the
earth once in 33 years. When this
happens millions Of particles fall into
the earth's atmosphere with dazzling
effect.
From the best estimate the Novem-
Der meteoric showers will reach
maximum at ! a. m. November ID.
They will begin in small bursts and
will continue through the 18th, 10Th
and 18th.
The November meteors receive the
name of Leonids from the fact that
they appear to come from the con-
stellation Of Leo. The weight Of these
bodies varies from a few grains to
many pounds. They strike the earth
at an altitude Of about seyenty-four
miles and are entirely consumed at
height of 80 miles. For the first time
since they were discovered the Leou-
ids will be the center Of a systematic
observation throughout the world. In
addition to trained men of science,
hundreds of thousands of independent
observers will be prepared to report
any unusual phenomena which may
make their appearance in connection
with the regular meteoric shower this
year.