Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-05-19

NUNN'I NNNNIA western IN HNllIN NinN
pointmcnt is felt here over the outcome
of the passage OF The comet
A brilliant moon during the night
proved 20 be "a serious handicap TO tho
scientists behind the batteries OF
cameras and telescopes trained on the
sky. Early observations were impair
ed and work with the cameras cut or
90 considerable extent by the moon.
Despite this condition. the expert as
trouomcrs at the observatory maintain
ed their vigil until after daylight When
the moon set. several OF them were
repaid tonight FOR their patience.
At this time certain observations
were made that may De- OF Importance
in adding to scientific lore.
There was compensation FOR the sci-
entists. however la a spectacular ex-
hlbition Of aurora lights and in some
inCtcoric phenomena. The scientists
said they believed there existed no di-
rect connection between the aurora
borealis and the comet
Carnegie Observatory Mount Wilson.
cal. May % -Haley'e comet uassed
the sun ON schedule time last evening
ami the sun arose this morning
ahead OF the nucleus OF the vaudcrer
When the earth viii pass through tine
tail OF the comet cannot be determined
with amy degree of accuracy An that
Is known rs that IL is very close t1
the nearer wall of the tail and likely
Co enter 10 al amy moment
These are the net results OF the OBJ
scIVations made al the Carnegie OBJ
sorvatory throughout last night and
today. 10 Us announced by the sCicn-
lists here assembled that the general
public need not depend upon expert
representations hereafter in detcrmin-
ing whether or not the earth has passed
through the ordeal Of leaping through
the gaseous strcamer that projects for
many millions Of miles in the wake Of
the comet Observe these rules and
know the status Of the visitors timer
airy;
q Just after sunset this evening the
tail Of the comet points toward the
sun. the earth has not yet passed
through the tail
II the tail points away from the sun
the earth viii have passed through dur
ink the daylight hours.
II the tail points toward and away
from the sun at the same time. it will
mean that the enrth is about to enter
it and viii pass through during the
night
Failure Of astronomers consequently
to ascertain the moment Of the earth
entering the comets tail is explained
in this way:
Until this morning the comet, being
between the earth and the sun, 1t was
impossible 20 determine the extent OF
the curve OF the tail Gazed az
through telescopes on this planet. the
under side Of the tail which was to-
ward the earth, appeared 10 be straight.
II afforded magnificent spectacle.
stretching like the glow Of a great
searchlight from the eastern horizon
clear through the Milky Way and wen
past the zenith.
Many shooting stars were seen In the
comets tail this morning after the
moon had set.
SEEN AT USUAL HOUR.
Los Angeles. Cal. May ls.-Halley's
comct-rather. the tail Of the visitor
was visible in the eastern sky from
the observatories on Mount Wilson
and Mount Lowe at the usual hours
this morning-from $3.50 o'clock until
dawn.
Director George e. Hale. Of the Car
negie observatory ON Mount Wilson
said today that faulty calculations as
10 when the earth would pass through
the tail Of the comet were due TO the
fact that there was "a great curvature
I'm the tail which could not be estimat-
ed accurately Undoubtedly the head
Of the comet had passed the sun az the
time predicted but calculations as 10
when the earth would come into con-
tact with the tail, II at all, were large
ly guess work. he said
The comet Illuminated the eastern
sky 10 the east OF Venus this morn
ing extending from the Milky way 20
the horizon. IL was plainly visible
as soon as the moon had set
Mount Lowe observatory reported
that according 10 observations taken
there' u was believed that the earth
was about 10 pass into the tail Of tho
comet at 1890 o'clock this forenoon
Pacific coast time. That portion Of
the tail visible this morning in the
eastern sky measured 10 degrees. il
being larger ana longer than yestcr-
day morning. but not so bright
DIR. II. y. RUssELL's VIEWS.
Mount Wilson Observatory. Pasa-
dena, Cal. May 1g-"Dr Henry n
russell Is an authority whose views
are entitled TO consideration" said Or.
=. a Faith OF the observatory CORPS
here when informed early this morn
ing OF the Princeton astronomers as
sertiun that the earth has not Vet
passed through the comets tail.
quite agree with him i'm regard to
me curvature of the tail OF the comet.
or more than that we are not absolute
ly certain at this time. Because OF the
strong moon light which has prevailed
an night. we have been unable 10 de-
wv hh9 AAtitEt
At o'clock this morning. Pacific
coast time Prof H. A. Faith. who has
been conducting the observations dur
ing the night made the following
statement.
The tail Of Hauey's comet Is this
morning In apparently the same posi-
tlon IN regard 90 the earth as IL was at
me same time yesterday morning This
would Indicate that the earth has not
yet passed through the denser portion
OF the tail II we are ina the tail al ALL
u Us probably but the edge. So far our
observations have shown no special
aurora lights, nor have any meteors
oeen observed
WHAT PROF. HALL SAYS.
Washington. May l9.-Prof. Asapn
.iail or the naval observatory said az
CLOCK this morning that the earth
would not pass through the tail OF
dalley's comet until some time TODAY
From o'clock this morning until
lawn. said Prof, Han. there was visi-
Die IN the east extending from the
northeast In southery direction. 40
i'm beam light OF the comets tail. As
ne moon descended westward the !
mart othwart the heavens grew palmer |
ma was easily visible to the naked eye |
MAY NOT TOUCH EARTH
johannesburg, May l9-Accordine 10 |
he observations made at the Transvaal |
observatory OF which h. T. A. Innos |
s the director the earth had not trnv- |
rsed the tail OF Halleys comet AT dawn |
nday The tail was stll north OF mo /
'eipuc and at the observatory Il was |