The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-16
Dere|ict Of the Heavens
Will Be At Nearest Dis
tanCe from Earth
PROBABLY NO MATERIAL
EFFECT WILL Be FELT
None of the Gases VIII Come Closer
Than Forty-F1ve Mfles--PossibiI-
fty of Luminous Display like
Northern Lights

Washington, May 15.--Halley's comet
Will be greeted Wednesday on its
closest approach to the earth, by a
bristling battery of telescopes fanked
by rapid fire lenses in the celestial
cameras of the naval observatory, the
only national observatory in the United
States. The great observers are pre-
rared for the great star that is rush.
Ing through space and elaborate calcu-
lations have been made as to the minute
Rnd second the flying comet will be at
given places in the heavens where 1t
Will be observed and photographed.
Among the scientists there is some
difference of opinion as to the effect
tie great star will have upon the earth,
but the differences are minor. Prof
Hall of the naval observatory would
not be surprised il there were shower
of meteorites. He advanced his theory
with the same calmness that he would
prophesy a shower of rain.
Others, and they are in the majority,
expect disturbances will mark the
passing of the comet. Edwin F. Naulty
of New York, who has been at the OBJ
troscopic observations of the visitor,
takes issue with Prof. Hall and con-
tends that the tail of the comet Is
composed either of gas or meteorio
bodies, and that such shower as Prof.
Hall deems possible could not follow.
The tail of Halley's comet. to all
intents and purposes, is celestial
searchlight," said Mr.. Naulty today 1t
is nothing more than sunlight con-
densed from radiant solar energy and
propelled through the solar system pre-
csely as a lens focuses, condenses and
transmits light. He asserts that the
tail of the comet is not composed of
gas or minute particles of matter or
meteoric bodies. The entire system,
Mr. Natity says is filled witis gases
H. varying states of density. All the
gases are poisonous and none are pres
ent in condensed form in the atmos-
phere.
Theory of Changing Spectrum
The changing spectrum of Halley's
comet according to Mr.. Naulty's theory,
is due to the fact that as the comet s
great tall of light sweeps through
various parts of the solar system 1t
lights up differing layers of gases, con-
teying the impression that the tall
Itself is gaseous. Mr.. Naulty says the
spectrum of reflected sunlight is always
comet. thus proving that both parts of
u are sunlight alone made visible.
The sweeping of this cometary cone
ef solar force does cause disturbance in
the solar system said Mr.. Naulty.
THE earth and all the planets are
affected, not only when they come with
In the actual cone as the earth will do
on Wednesday, but also by the ethereal
waves set in motion by the comets tail.
II is the constant effort of the earth's
mass and it's atmosphere to adjust
themselves to this force that has caused
the prevailing earth tremors, storms
and other phenomena
"The climax will be reached this
week. There will be no collision of
the earth and comet, nor will the earth
be enveloped in poisonous gases The
effect of the passage may be to cause
great condensation of atmosph eric va
pors so that automatically the earth
will be provided with a sort of shield
which will act like lead screen used
to protect X-ray operators"
The comet has monopolized all celes-
tial attention of late, but when 1T ap-
breaches nearest the earth on May 18
It viii find that the moon has SO timed
her movements as to be full and the
conflict of her rays will make observa-
tions of the comet more difficult than
Mould be the case If there were no op-
position
At the naval observatory the scien-
lists have been watching the comet
through the powerful telescopes every
morning just before sunrise, when it Is
brightest. The observers each day
can note the broadening of the tail and
the enlargement of the head. The
heavenly body will increase In apparent
size and brilliancy until Wednesday,
when 1t will begin to decrease and in
b few weeks will disappear into space,
rot to be seen again for nearly CEN
tury.
Will Not Affect Earth
Chicago. May 15.-Astronomers of Chi
cago and vicinity, who have lost much
sleep in studying Halley's comet until it's
appearance this year, do not expect its
influence will in any way be made mani
fest on this earth. 1t Is composed OF
eases too light, and it is too far away 0
make It's presence felt.
s,rhere can be but little doubt that
che tail of the celestial visitor, being
some 5000 COO miles wide, will sweep over
the earth but we will not even feel it,"
said DR.. d. ]. McHugh, astronomer at
Depauw university, today "None of the
gases of the comet will come closer than,
say, 40 miles to the earth's surface. At
that distance the earth's atmosphere is
much more dense tnan the TAIL OF the
comet. Friction with the atmosphere
would destroy 1t at that altitude. As for
cyanogen gas that is mostly around the
head of the comet, although the suns
repulsion and the speed of the heavenly
traveller may have forced some of into
the tail."t
Probable Luminous Display
Boston, May 15.-Agreeing that no harm
ful effect is to be experienced on next
Wednesday with the passage of the earth
through the tail of TIalley's comet New
England astronomers appear not to con-
cur as to the possibility Of luminous
display similar to northern lights. Prof
David p. Todd of Amherst college thinks
the aurora effect probable. Prof Robert
W. Wilson of tho Harvard college OBJ
servatory declared today there may be a
! 6arkening of the atmosphere. while Prof.
Edward G. Pickering, head of the Har-
N ward observatory, said:
Il doubt II there will be any effect
~ ALL
i Professor Wilson said further that