New-York tribune., 1900-11-11

well as silently through space along elliptical
path. Information regarding the size, composition,
density and disintegration of comets is obtained
therefore by a systematic observation of meteors.
Such of these tiny bits of stone and metal as be-
come entangled in the atmospheric envelope or Inc
globe suddenly made incandescent by friction
and unless above the average in size burn 10 dust
before reaching the earth.
few leonids were seen on three successive
mornings last November. From the fact that the
earth moves along its orbit more than million and
a half miles day can infer something OF the
distance between the external boundaries of the
swarm although it must be remembered that the
earths path that of the meteors diagonally
not directly. Again, the magnificent display OF
1866 repeated with diminished profusion in 1861
from which it appears that the swarm is so elon-
gated that the tail of 1t had passed the juno
ton year after the head was encountered. 1t is
a modest estimate of the velocity of these meteors
that makes them travel 1500o0,000 miles n twelve
months. Indeed the I>fitIences that tend to scat
ter the component particles of the swarm have al
ready acted to such extent that signs of II may
be detected for three four years in succession,
although II takes between thirty-three and thirty
four years for a complete circuit Hence, it is not
unlikely that if the-weatfer is favorable the
perience of 1895 and 1893. when few OF small
leonids were seen, Will be repeated next week
The marvellous showers Of 1888 and 1866, in which
several hundred thousand meteors were observed
inside OF a few hours, have been explained by the
supposition that the earth happened TO strike
particularly dense spot in the cloud. whether this
occurs again is extremely doubtful. DR.. john
stone Stoney. English expert. reached the con-
clusoa nearly two years ago that the course Of the
leonid swarm had been appreciaby modified by the
attraction of Jupiter and Saturn when these plan
cts were passed during the last circuit He esti-
mated that region of density twice
before in this century would within 1900,
900 miles of the earths orbit this return He
also expected to the time of nearest approach
showed along 10 the morning OF November 70,
whereas the great shower OF 1876 came on the l4th
To limited extent DOUBT was thrown upon the
latter part of this calculation last fall by the occur
renee of meteors on the earlier or the two
dates on the later one, alo while no one has had
the courage openly 10 question the accuracy of the
other part of the prediction II is deemed remotely
possible that a gne display may yet be witnessed
DR.. Stoney's computation seeIl TO have dealt
the period OF its return Cpon TINS latter point
there is little difference OF opinion. DR.. Newton
and one fourth years. and his figures have been
generally accepted His estimate was partly based
ieonids in 1888 and was concluded from this that
the recurrence would fall in 1888 But Professor
that there was another remarkable shower in 1858,
and on be fhat on these e were eGnds
OF Leo-Professor Pickering declares that the
Shower is not due until 1900 1901 or even 1862
Should DR.. stoney be in error as TO the track of
garding the time rare spectacle may yet be wit
Messed in the future.
on some accounts one might wish that If there is
really TO be another great display of leonids it
wSpid wei be DELAYED until an next ta autumn mn The moon
Thursday nights this week and though il Will have
enough 70 render all but exceptionaiiy large ae
IseEs ibDsi5e Its & ght VII also greatly er5ar
there viii be new moon, and il viii not iS come e
above the horizon until after dawn In this respect
seTvson in 1851 Still the professons ssPo3o to no.
mers VII keep on the alert this year Inasmuch
proper time to watch for leonids is between that
northeastern heavens