The Washington herald., 1910-05-12

New York. May n.-Experiments made
at Columbia University to-day indicated
that no harm will come 10 the population
Of the earth at Il o'clock next Wednes-
day night, when we sideswipe Halleys
comet
Following a report from the University
Of Dion, France to the effect that guam
titles Of deadly cyanogen gas had been
noted in the comets tail by Prof. Des-
landres. with the aid % a specuoscope,
Prof S. a. Mitchell OF the astronomical
department at Columbia. to-day made ex-
periments with cyanogen and human sub
jects to determine how dense the gas in
the comets tail would have to be TO ef-
face life.
students Used in Tests.
Up in the big chemical laboratories Of
the university hoods were filled with the
noxious gas in different density and vol
unteer students were placed in first one
hood and then in others . which the
amount Of cyanogen was Increased.
It was found that the gas would have
to be very dense to wipe out life. the
tests merely causing temporary collapse
or severe headaches. II was said. how
ever. that If the vapor was increased to a
certain density suddenly death Would be
almost instantaneous.
Contrary reports as 20 the amount Of
Cyanogen gas in the tail OF the comet
which will rush by the earth at just II
o'clock Wednesday night. have kept
astronomers busy fgdring the possible
results. but most Of them agree that there
is hardly enough cyGnogen IN the comets
tail 10 cause death, although some think
the vapor may be compressed in certain
sections of the tail in such quantities as
10 cause trouble.
Yerkes Finds No Gas.
Following the report of Prof Deslan-
dres, the Yerkes Observatory issued a bull
letln that it had been unable 10 detect
a trace of cyanogen since February, when
traces Of II appeared on the specuoscope
Prof Mitchell was inclined to accept
the report OF Prof. Frost OF the Yerkes
Observatory. His stand was strengthened
by a report later received from DR.. Rob
ert w Wilson. OF Harvard, 10 the effect
that the only cyanogen he could discern
was near the head Of the comet many
miles from the portion OF the tail through
which the earth will pass.
Prof Wilson predicted that there
would be a slight darkening of the sky
at the time Of passage, and said that
wireless apparatus might be affected by
the millions Of minute electrical particles
which compose part Of the streamer.
Comet Changes Course.
NJ. Narchand, famous French astron-
omer. detected early to-day that the
comet had altered its course from the
one originally predicted II would be
necessary for the comet to travel 1900, 00(
miles from its present direction 10 strike
the earth, however
Il doubt if any but astronomers vii
be aware that we have struck the tail Of
Haley's comet Wednesday night" said
Prof. Mitchell Il am convinced thai
there is no danger from cyanogen.
Il believe that if a cubic mile of the
comets tail could be gathered and pu
into a breaker. it would require the mos
minute chemical tests 10 detect any
thing more than a trace Of the poisonous
gas"
It will be impossible to see Halley''
comet after Sunday. II will rise 50 lat,
after that that the light Of coming dawr
will obscure It. For five days # viii b.
invisible. and then Will be seen in IN,
west IN the evening.