The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-11-22
SHOWER OF LEONiDS.
Seen at GoOdseII Observatory North
field.

Mortified, Mimi, Nov. 16.-The
shower of leonid meteors which has
been so eagerly watched for by astron-
omers for the past two years, arrived
on schedule time yesterday morning at
about 10 O'Clock. The shower was very
satisfactory to observers although not
equaling that which occurred thirty
three years ago. The display, how
ever, was very brilliant and lasted
from midnight until daybreak. The
shower exceeded expectations. The
maximum display should have, &C
cording to calculations, occurred at
a. m. yesterday, daylight q course
precluding the possibility of observa-
ton. The display exceeded in number
and brilliancy those of the past two
years. Extensive Preparations had
been made at Goodsell observatory of
Carleton college, Mortified, to record
the time and plat the path of each
meteor which fell.
Drs Payne and Wilson, together
with large corps of assistants, had
this work in charge, and attempted to
record each meteor. observed. At times,
however, the number falling was $50
large that it was found impossible to
plat each individual star. At such
times only the most. brilliant were re-
corded.
DR.. Wilson, who has in charge the
Photographic work of Goodsell observ
atory, exposed several plates and hopes
to secure several good photorga phs of
the falling meteors. At 2:10 :32 a.
N. a leonid shot across the sky which
approached the minus second magni
tude. 1t lighted up the heavens and
left behind it trail which lasted for
fully three minutes At 4 :15 81 a.
m. leonid passed across the heavens
fully as brilliant as the one mentioned
above, leaving a trail which remained
six minutes. At is 2 another equally
as brilliant appeared, leaving trail
which remained visible for fully
twenty-five minutes.
At :01 a. m. leonid of minimum
magnitude shot across the heavens and
burst, producing most brilliant and
beautiful display of light and color.
About a a. IN. the shower was so
extensive that the observers found it
impossible to do little more than note
the general effect Again, at As, 100
were observed to have fallen in twenty
minutes.
The radiant of the shower was in Leo
Major, the greatest number of meteors
shooting toward the northeast. Many
fell from the radiant, however, some
being fully 20 degrees from Leo. AS
a whole, the shower was very satisfac-
tory to the observers. Doctors Payne
and Wilson feel fully repaid for the
preparations made and the labor which
they and their assistants expended.
The meteors plated will be carefully
compared and compiled, and will
doubtless be given to the public, as
we'll as the scientific world, at an early
date. 1t is probable that the world
will not again witness shower of the
Leonid meteors, as the orbit seems to
have been disturbed
Conditions for observations were per-
fected at Northield Thursday night,
and every advantage was taken to So
cure valuable scientific. data, both by
visual observation and the photo
graphic process.
Judging from hasty computations it
is estimated that fully 900 meteors
were charted, and probably 2, 900 were
observed to have fallen.
DIR. Wilson expressed himself to the
effect that the nights work had been
very gratifying.
Mrs. Geo. G. Corrall and son of
Marshall are visiting Mrs. Gao