New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-20
SCIENTISTS PUZZLED
BY THE COMETS TAIL
Has 1t Passed. Is 1t Passing, or
Will 1t Pass? Are
Questions.
SOLAR SPECTRUM OBSERVED
Excites Yerkes Observers, Who
Saw Comet in East When
1t Was Supposed To
Be in West.

At 8 o'clock this morning the eastern
sky. above the r1urkinsss Of the lower
level, was brilliantly illuminated by a
great are-shaped strearer Of light that
stretched about IS degrees above the
horizon froa north to south, covering
the whole horizon. The light resembles
a great aurora boreaIis in many respects
but the flashes were lateral rather than
vertical, as in the northern phenomenon,
and the illumination was perhaps trifle
less brilliant.
The effect as seen from the root OF
the Tribune Building was extraordinary,
and, while il is compares, roughly, to
the northern lights, so called, Z was
quite unlike that display. The stars were
plainly visible, but there was gooe deal
of haze, and in the southwest a few hluny
clouds were visible. The phenomenon
was clearly defined in it's limits, much
as is a searchIight cloudy night, but
the streamer of light was far too great
in volume to be searchlisht-
Williams Bay, Wis, May 19.-F'ollow-
ing closely on the wholly unexpected as
Economical condition that prevailed early
to-day, when the tail of HaIley's comet
was plainly seen in the east. astronomers
at the Yerkes Observatory were further
bewiIdered to-day by a startling appari-
ton across the face Of the sun at noon
\ broad spectrum of light, extending
across and a considerable distance 70
each side Of the sun. challenged the at
te1ftion of the vigilant but weary OBJ
servers
For the second time in a dozen hours
the congregated scientists are greatly sx-
cited
Professor E B. Frost. who first sight
ed the phenomenon. declared that he had
never before witnessed it's like Profess
scr E z. Barnard said the same
The spectrum at once became a topic
of overmastering interest and conjecture
Enormous sun spots seen on Wednesday
afternoon. followed by brilliant displays
Of northern lights last night and these in
turn succeeded by varied reports OF fiery
streamers shooting across the horizon TO
the southwest. had been passed BY the
astronomers as having absolutely no d.
rect connection with the comet But the
spectrum was another story.
although I cannot advance an opinion
at this time" said Professor Frost, y
can see no other cause but the comet for
the appearance of the spectrum He be-
Iieved that the two were related in some
unexplained manner.
The passage of the earth through the
tail of the comet. delayed day in its
schedule. is believed to be taking place
tonight. although early observations did
not give positive proof of this
Such eminent astronomers as Profess
sor s A. Mitchell. of Columbia Univer-
sitv. New York: Professor Edwin B.
Frost. head of the Yerkes Observatory
staff. and Professor Edward Barnard. OF
the University of Chicago. agree that the
glow of light they saw in the east this
morning was the comets tail No ade-
1uate explanation. however. is forthcOn-
ng Professor Mitchell. Professor Frost
and Professor Barnard say that any OF
he following three explanations may be
right:
Ffrst-The curvature Of the comets tait
7rst discovered and noted BY Professor
Barnard on Tuesday night may nave oe-
refoped to a wholly Unexpected degree
xhfIe the head Of the comet has passed
he earth on schedule
Second-Like BOreIlfs comet OF 1903.
4a1Iey's comet may have ceased its tail
ma king activity cutting off the glowing
an that is now puzzling the scientists.
Third-It is possible that all caleula-
ions are wrong and that the comet has
Tot yet passed the earth
As nearly as could be computed t1s
,eriod Of the appearance OF the comets
all in the east extended from 1879
o'clock wednesday night to 800 o'clock
his morning It was still plainly visible
II a time when the astronomers were
confident the earth would have passed
completely through the tail