Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1910-05-19
WORLD PASSES SAFELY
THROUGH TAIL OF Comet
No Unusual Disturbance Noted by Any
Of the Astronomers

7 PASADENA. Cal, May 10 Ac-
cording to the computations OF DIR.
George q. Hale and his associates at
Carnegie observatory. Halley's comet
passed on beyond the sun at S:S5
O'Clock last night and at the same
time the earth was in the midst of
the wanderers tenuous tail. But not
one. OF the delicate instruments set
to detect phenomena showed the
slightest variation. DR.. Hale mount
ed an electometer to detect any
changes in the magnetism OF the earth
and a Variometer, which would show
any variation in the magnetic pole.
A tower also was erected on the
peak of Mount Wilson, bearing metal
plates coated with glycerine, to catch
any of the dust particles with which
the comets tail is supposed to be
laden, but the astronomers have
found nothing, SO far, to indicate
that natural conditions have been
affected by the earth's leap through
the comets tail.
Secure Many Photographs.
YERKES OBSERVATORY, WILL
IAMS BAY. Wis, May 18.-As the
world passed through the tail of Hal
ley's comet astronomers at the Yerkes
observatory secured photographs and
accurate records of meteoric pheno-
mena and varying heavenly illumina-
tions under atmospheric conditions
nearly perfect for the work with
camera and telescope.
The pictures and data are consid-
cred of unusual value and may de-
velop scientific information and the
cries of unexpected importance.
Professor Edward e. Barnard, one
of the worlds greatest authorities on
comets. was much pleased with the
result of his own observations, which
have extended almost without inter-
ruption for 4S hours.
A most painstaking search was
made through the tail of the comet
for spots where illumination might
be lacking. This lack of illumination
1t was Indicated, may aid greatly in
determining the substance of the
glow that follows the comets head.
THE passing of the comet said
Professor Barnard, will greatly en-
rich science. consider the negative
phenomena observed of as great val
ne to science as positive phenomena"
World in Comet Five Hours.
According to first computations
from observations made here. the
earth entered the million mile broad
tail of the comet at speed of slight
ly more than 46 miles per second. At
this juncture the eminent scientists
gathered here agreed that the pass
age would occupy period of little
more than five hours.
Sixteen cameras especially con-
strncted for photographing the sky,
and IA telescopes were trained from
this point on the passage of the COM
ct. Painstaking care was exercised
In the arrangement and use of in
| struments to assure complete and
accurate data and pictures. Although
they had slept little on the previous
night. and were busy all day with
cameras and telescopes. the astron-
omers spared no effort.
| The party at the observatory in
cluded the following scientists: Pro
lessor s. A. Mitchell. Columbia Uni
versity, New York; Professor Edwin
| B. Frost, Professor Sherbourne w
Bnrnham. Professor Edward A. Bar
nard, Professor John A. Parkhurst
Professor storrs B. Barrett, Pro
Ifessor Frederick Slocum. Oliver J. Les
ard Mary L. Calvert
Comets Tail Lays Behind.
SAN JOSE. Cal. May fs.-Diree.
Il tor Campbell Of the Lick observatory
issued the following statement: The
tail of Halley's comet was observed
Wednesday morning at the Lick oh.
servatory TO a length OF 122 degrees
II extended through the constellation
Il Aquiila 10 the edge Of the milky way
The milky way 81 this point is Is
degrees or more wide and brilliant
and 1t Is quite possible the tail wal
, long enough 70 extend well into OF
across the milky way. Observed
length eorresponded to about Is.