Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-16
N[|[|)DS SEN FRIDAY
Professor OF Astronomy at Grin
nell Counts Ninety Meteors
Seen Friday.
Repetition Of Phenomena Of 1883
and '66.-A Very Beauti.
full Sight.
Cause Explained-.Iowa College
Wants Any Specimens That
May Be Found.
ecial to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Grinneil. Nov. 16-The remarkable
fall of meteors which occurred early yes
4 terday was observed by Professor S. r
BUCK, of Iowa College. and several OF
! his astronomy students. This sta1
slower is undoubtedly the long-expected
shower of meteors which was, expected
TO occur in 1899 and which occurred pre-
viously in 1888 and again in 1866. The
| following explanation of this interesting
+! phenomena is given by Professor Buck:
"Grinnell, Iowa, Nov. 16. - Editor
Dear Sir: About
$50 a. m. yesterday Mr.. JIM Babb called
at my door to inform me that display
of meteors was occurred. 1 Immediately
called Mr.. /. II. Davis and we began a
count of the shooting stars. Soon MIR. l..
ID. Smith joined us in the search. Fac
ing different ways we counted ninety
Mr. Crabb estimated fifteen or twenty
before he called my attention to the ex-
tibit. We kept watch until the dawn
III the east prevented our seeing more
1T is certain that over 100 were visi-
bic at this place between and a. m.
This exhibit of the Leonids had been ex-
pected. Nov. II to 10 each year is the
time when more than the usual number
OF meteors are visible. Almost any clear
night one is likely to see now and then
Il shooting star. The famous star show
er of 1898, when the people seemed to
see the stars of the sky falling, is mat
ter of history. In 1866 another event of
the same sort occurred, but not quite so
remarkable. So in 1899 astronomers were
waiting eXpectantly, but for the most
part to be disappointed. Yesterday
morning display quite unusual was
seen. We shaft undoubtedly hear from
many directions. but how many have
been seen will have to be determined
when the returns are in.
Different theories have been proposed
tG account for the phenomenon. Some |
suppose them to be of conatary origin. |
as the earth comes in it's rotation around
the sun to encounter a ring of meteoric |
matter. This meeting our atmosphere
becomes incorporated with it, or treated I
by friction and developing heat thereby.
also becoming luminous and showing a
trail of light. Some of the meteors seen
here We're quite brilliant, leaving a trail
for quite perceptible time. Most of
them were of very short duration.
IF you should hear of any solid mete-
critics reaching the earth will you kindly
send generous specimen to the address
of Iowa College, care OF yours respect
fully. S. J.BUcK."
over 100 different meteors were Wig
Sic here in less than one hour. As this
IS the time OF the year when the Leon-
ds are wont to appear we must cor
,,;.de that the belated exhibit expected
n 1899 had at last come into sight. The
star shower of 1888 is one of history,
when 1t seemed that the whole firma-
nent was falling. In 1866 another oc-
,urred, not so impressive, yet still re-
As other similar events had
)een recorded before 1866 at intervals Of
hirty-three years there was general ex-
that in 1899 we should see an
,ther star shower. We looked in vain
or anything more than may be noticed .
IN clear night almost any time of the !
ear. What are called the Leonds come
rom the vicinity of the constellation
Leo. With that point in the sky as RAJ
liant they spread over the sky in all
directions, appearing in every part of
he visible heavens Some astronomers
oppose that we are apt to plunge into
ring of meteoric matter about this
ime of the year. Probably this matter
nay be of cometary origin. 1t is not
rdinarily self-luminous, but possibly,
Ike ring of Saturn, may be perform
ig a revolution of its own about the
un
"If the earth in its path crosses the
ing each year in November about the
9TH to 18th, and then once in thirty
lree years falls in with thicker por-
ion of the ring we may have the extra
phenomena of a star shower.
hese particles of matter, ordinarily
ark, become heated by friction in COM
lg into our atmosphere, then show heat
nd light and are consumed in the upper 8
IT. Some larger particles become red
nd while hot perhaps explode with a
port like cannon, and some very SOL
particles reach the earth.
"a meteorite or solid meteor now and
len comes into our atmosphere. III any
lend of Iowa College knows of any
lch specilnent of whole or a part of
nv such heavenly visitor he is hereby
vited to communicate with u.s. 1t Is
valuable piece of matter and should
I'D its way to our museum or some
her place where it can be seen by
ose interested in such material.
ink we shall hear of this exhibit of
eteora which occurred Friday morn
G, Nov Is. 1901. AT some observator
. watch is kept for such unusual =
ghts especially at this time of the q
.ar. Much attention is called just now q
the position of Jupiter. Venus, Sat-
n and the moon, which happen to be n
arly in the same place in the sky in q
e southwest part of it between and =
p. M q
President Diaz will, within the next