The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1910-02-03
ABOUT NEW COMET.
II Is Visible Now In Western Horizon Just
About the Sunset Hour.

liC liz" SOlllSl ulSCONSISu last
Sunday in South Africa, close to
the sun, in the morning sky, and
now visible from the northern
hemisphere and emerging from
the solar rays in the eastern sky,
IS one of those strange intcrloperS
from space whose coming aston
ishcS the astronomers as much as
anybody else.
Moreover, it is evidently COM
ct of the first magnitude, and of
appalling brightness, since it has
been seen at the Lick observatory
in full daylight, something that
has happened but very rarely in
the history of comets.
The great comet of 1882, which
stole into the solar system in a
Similar manner being first seen in
the Southern hemisphere, was
likewise visible for several days in
full sunlight, and it proved to be
one of the most marvellous comets
on record. But when it got into
the Northern hemisphere it was
visible only in the morning sky be-
fore sunrise.
This one, on the contrary, is
coming out into the eastern sky,
and If the observations of its pres
ent course are correct, it is likely
to become a brilliant object.
Already its spectrum has been
photographed, and it shows that
the comet is shining both by re-
f1ected sunlight and by the blaze of
its own intense heat.
The indications are that we shall
have a very unusual spectacle
which if present indications are
fulfilled may be as memorable as
anything in cometary records.
1t is all the more remarkable that
this great stranger should have
made its dramatic appearance at
the time when Halley's comet is
nearing the sun and preparing for
its perihelion swing.
But the two comets are pursuing
entirely diffepent paths, and the
new one is likely to be far grand
cr object than its well known ri
val. Not enough is yet known
of its orbit to enable us to say lust
what its future course will be, but
its promise is SO brilliant that the
most surprising things may con-
tidently be expected of it.
1t remains to be seen whether it
is, like its predecessor of 1882, a
member of group of comets all
travelling in the same path, or an
entirely independent body.
1t is evident, however, that its
I perihclion must lie very close to
tie sun, and it has probably
swept through the coronal, region
almost brushing the solar surface
whence the astonishing brilliance
that it exhibits. If it keeps in
sight as it withdraws from the
neighborhood of the sun it should
exhibit a magnificent tail.
The story of this comet will
form startling chapter in the his
tory of astronomy. With the
spectroscopic apparatus now IN the
possession of astronomers great
revelation of the nature of these
mysterious bodies is appa1 emily put
within our reach.
Its sudden appearance is another
proof of the adventurous nature of
the vast voyage that the solar Sys-
tenn is making through space,
On go the planets flying north
ward with the sun, and into the
midst of them, like torpedo boats
invading fleet, come plunging
great comets. Some time one of
them is mathematically certain to
hit the Sun-and then what? No
body knows.
But who's afraid? After all, in
spite of their formidable look, COM
cts are insignificant boz .es COM
pared with our solid glooe, mostly
gas and dust; SO let them come.
Their arrival increases the joy of
life, and prevents our minds from
stagnating With too much costly
politics and cheap poetry.