The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-05-19
CANT EXPLAIN IT
Feeling Exists That the Head of
the Comet Only Has Passed
the Earth
TAIL REMAINS DEEP MYSTERY
Three Different Explanations Offered,
But Learned Astronomers Say
They Are Not Yet Able to
fathom Situation.

Williamsbay, Wis, May 19.-Shat-
tering all scientific calculations and
completely puzzling learned astromo-
mers. who declare they made sure of
the unprecedented phenomena with re-
peated observations here before day
break this morning, the glowing tail of
fIalley's comet appeared in the eastern
sky today at a time when the worlds
comet authorities had agreed it would
be i'm the west.
Such eminent astronomers as Mitch
ell of Columbia university, New York;
Frost head of Yerkes' observatory staff
and Barnard Of the University of Chi
cago, witnessed the startling fan of
| light i'm the east and all agreed 1t was
/ the comets tail No adequate explana-
| ton. however, is forthcoming.
Three Explanations.
Profs Mitchell, Frost and Barnard
say that anyone of the following three
| explanations may be right:
1. Curvature of the comets tall first
discovered and noted by PROF. Barnard
Tuesday night, may have developed
to wholly unexpected degree, while
l
earth ON schedule
2. Like Borellis comet in 1908 Hal
ley's comet may have ceased its tail,
making the glowing fan that is now
puzzling scientists.
3. 1t is possible all calculations are
wrong and the comet has not yet pass
ed the earth.
Statement by Frost.
AS nearly as could be computed the
period of appearance of the comets
tail in the east extended from 1898
o'clock wednesday night TO $500 this
morning. 1t was still plainly visible
at a time when the astronomers were
confident the earth would have passed
completely through the tail. After leav-
ing his telescope at daybreak Prot.
Frost issued the following statement;
Greater than all theories and all
computations are facts. And the fact
is the tail of Halley's comet has been
appearing in the east i'm practically
the same position as it appeared yes
terday morning. There is no question
about that. The tail which glowed
. from the horizon close to the milky
way from before midnight until dawn
has not yet passed across the earth.
That is certainty. In addition, II
, also is certain there is no material
diminution in the size of his tail as
, COMPARED with the tail of the day be-
fore.
Head Has Passed Earth.
eve are confident that the calcula-
tions for the passage of the head OF
the comet between the sun and earth
|. are correct. Unquestioned astrono-
: mical authorities working independent
= " of each other in an parts of the
world arrived at these calculations
which have been corrected in detail
ever since the comet passed Venus ON
@ May ..
1--WE are also confident the head OF
the comet made the transit as per
schedule. But the mystery of the ap-
pearance Of the tail in the east TINS
morning is a great puzzle. II cannot DC
= explained satisfactorily at this time
. Earth May Miss Tai.
= DR.. Campbell Of Lick observatory
= California. said early this morning
= there was a possibility the earth may
+ not pass through the tail of the Gomez
because the comets orbit Is inclined
r. TO an angle with the earth's orbit and
! may miss the earth by several million
= miles.
Princeton college observers account
Al cd for the miss i'm the schedule time ol
10 contact by the development of a curve
in the comets TAIL a fact heretofore
= unknown to the astronomers because
they had been looking at the tail edge
wise.
At Harvard observatory the astrono
mers were unable TO definitely stat'
whether the earth had passed through
the tail. hut admitted the bright moon
light may have shut out the view
prof Wilson Of Mount Wilson observ
atory. Pasadena Cal. declares tn
comet this morning was apparently II
the same position in regard to tn
earth il was at the same time yester
. day.
South African Observations.
In