Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-02-15

of them are retrograde; that is, from
orbits cut the ecliptic at almost every
! cOnceiVab bic angle; Il proof, at least 10
some writers, that none of the comets
were originally connected in any way
| with our solar system. the few that are
now members having been captured
on their Journey through space and are
dOCs attractive power Of the sun.
The motion of Encke's comet is di-
rect, the plane of it's orbit being at AN
| angle of 4 little over thirteen degrees.
As an Illustration of the extreme tehu-
| ity of the substance of at least some of
the comets. the writer remembers that
some years ago when viewing Holmes
comet through telescope. 4 star could
| plainly be seen shining through il with
| undiminishtd luster. although its rays
must have traversed many thousands
of miles Of the cOmetary matter.
| Why does the coming of comets Gre
ate such ii special and widespread III
terest among all classes of people '''e
reason is, doubtless. because or their
| infreouent visits; and another ~ me
! fact that these bodies differ so Winrls
from ali other heavenly bodies. not
only in their appearance but also IL
their observed motions. People be-
| come 80 accustomed to the general APP
| ncarance and regular motions OF the
| SIM moon and other celestial bodies,
wonderful as they really are. that no
| special attention is given them ana no
| comment expressed; but when Il large
comet appears the interest or almost
everyone. whether he be Il philosopher
or otherwise. is Immediately aroused.
In many instances in past years, De-
| fore the nature of comets was as well
| known AS at the present time, the SUI
perstitious fears. not only OF the isho-
rant classes of the people but even the
so-called learned and intelligent also,
| were excited to a high degree when one
| appeared. This. however. we can
| har,ll.' wonder at when we consider
| including the highest diSnitaries of the
| church were fully convinced that they
pos:.es.ed :. potent and usually an evil
| influence over the affairs of men. even
10 the extent OF indicating the coming
of disastrous wars. of causing the death
| CT downfall of kings and bringing pes
thence. famine and evils of almost
every nature upon the earth. Even
| Milton in Paradise Lost" tells us
| Satan stood
Unterl iiied and like a comet burned
| And from its horrid hair
| Shakes peStilence and war.
History informs us that about the
middle of the 18th century. soon after
thu Turks had captured Constantinople
and Christian Europe WAS threatened
I with al h1IlDIiltldIl NV It Si' CT
comet appeared in the heavens. which
led TO an extra prayer being added Ia
the Ave Maria: Lord, save us from
the devil the Turk and the comet.
The PRAYER evidently was answered
forces gained Il victory over the Turks
The then reigning pope. CaliXtus III
ordered the church bells to be rune
daily at thc noon hour: and from this
Sprang the custom. observed to this
day at least in Catholic countries. OF
ringing the bells ai noon. This com
II, which raised such 4 connection il
Europe at that early day. was the one
whose elements the famous HALEY
more than 200 years later computed SC
accurately as to enable him success
fully to predict its return and thus &c
establish the fact, (befnre suspected 10y
EewtonD that at least some of the
comets are members Of the solar sys-
TEN. and revolving in regular orbits
This was a great achievement. and thu
comet from that time on has borne tn,
name of HALEY. Its period is abOu
80. years. 1t will be due again I,
about five years from now. and viii
doubtless be 4 glorious object in thu
heavens but the SuperstitiOus neet
have no fears. for il will he perfect.
harmless There is 4 great difference
in the appearance Of these bodies. n
two being exactly alike. and many GU
rious things could be told not onl.
about Enckes but also about Othel
comets that have from time to tim" ap
peared; but for the present the abov
will suffice.