The Detroit times., 1910-05-18
BY DR.. HAROLD JAco1Y
Rutherford Professor Of Astronomy az
Columbia University, Written for
the United Press and Detroit
Times.

NEW YORK, May 18.-The proof
Of the pudding Is In the eating. and
the proof Of astronomy Is In what win
happen tonight when the earth will
probably pass through the comets
tail. Astronomers have made their
deductions as accurately as they
know how but every one will not have
personal knowledge of the exact truth
until midnight.
The astronomers, as a whole, agree
that there will be no pronounced con.
ditions to mark the passing Of the
earth through the comets tail. A
Sigh. gaseous wave may permeate
the air. There may also be glow
in the sky as the great event takes
place.
The comet can no longer be seen
In the morning sky. Henceforth Il
will be visible only In the western
sky in the evening, directly above the
point where the sun sets.
This appearance will take place
every night for six weeks beginning
tomorrow. The clearness with which
the comet may be viewed will depend
on the blackness OF the skies. The
moon which will be full by May "a.
will interfere with the view until that
date. During the first and second
week In June, 1t is likely the comet
should be seen in all OF It's glory, then
it will gradually disappear.
BY the end of June the comet Will
have disappeared, not to return for
rs years. The current visit has
aroused the greatest popular interest
and astronomers expect as result
there will be stimulus in the science
OF astronomy which will bear fruit In
new discoveries and inspire the young
to follow Halley's example.
One benefit has resulted from the
widespread discussion OF the visitor,
that is the world-has been rid OF
much superstition.
All orbits, including the orbits or
comets, are the result OF comprises
in gravity Now you have got to gee
over the idea that because one body
attracts another strongly It is likely
to draw the other body smack into IL.
It doesn't. There Is also a peculiar
fact about comets, they exercise no
pull upon the earth. In all or the
years In which comets have been OBJ
served there Is no trace where one
of them has Influenced the earth ia
the slightest manner, so far as the
*
Is absolutely no danger OF a collision
So far as the danger of any solid
substance that may be In the tall
striking the earth Is concerned, the
best way to get an idea of that is to
watch a steamer pushing up the wave
in front of its PROV. You know most
of the power of the boat is used I'm
making that wave. Well, a piece OF
ID Nr,r ton orH khss< nth
would make just such wave In front
of II, and It might make an especially
big wave on account OF the fact that
IL would not have a good air cutting
prov. Then the wave would make fric-
ton and the friction would make heat.
and the comet would have hard time
getting through. Most likely 1t would
burn up or fall with force enough to
cause only local disturbance.
And when you consider that comet
exerts no force OF gravity whatever.
YOU can easily figure that Il would not
be solid enough seriously to interfere
with the earth II II was possible to
secure a real head-on collision.
II comet ever drives straight into
us-Halley's cannot on this trip, OF
course-whlch II might do II II came
on an orbit near enough to make the
earths attraction for 1t overpowerlng,
touching the end OF the world problem.
saw the comet with the naked eye
a week ago. a great shaft of light. 30
times as long as the full moon. as n 80
full moons had been jsmmed together
edge TO edge. When the comet ap-
pears in the western sky n. will be
much more brilliant than II was then.
I wouldn't expect any farm from Il.