The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-03-03
greatest damage I'M southern Idaho
has been to irrigation works, espe-
cially those under course of construc-
ton.
A PLETHORA Of COMETS
\ GENEVA SCIENTIST FINDS A
NEW ONE, But
LOSES IT.

Washington, March 3.-Two Flying
Dutchmen" of the heavens are keep
ing Washington scientists and astro-
nOmers a-tremble with excitement
this week. Comets are shooting about
in their orbits. swiftly approaching
the earth; one or two soon will be
visible to the naked eye. A new
comet made its debut few days ago.
A new comet made its debut four days
ago. Prof. PidouA Oi Geneva univ5.-
s,ty in Switzerland was IT'S discovs ,er.
Ha'lcv's comet is now being ch-
served at sundown by stargazers
throughout the world. With history
dating back to the days of Confucius,
this brilliant phenomenon is easily the
"steller sensation" Of the year. 1t is
now clearly seen with telescopes, and
in week or two will have brushed
SO near the earth that the naked eye
will be able to study it every night.
1t will be visible for several weeks.
The new rocket" has been labeled
Comet B. 1910," and Prof. Pidoux
has sent word to Washington and all
the leading observatories in the Unit
ed States warning them to he on the
lookout for 1t. No sooner had Prof.
Pidoux clapped his eyes upon it last
week than combination of rainy
weather and unfavorable atmospheric
conditions took it from his sight. He
has not been able to locate it SINCE
He sent cable to the naval observa-
tory here asking aid.
Search for Lost Comet.
Every night the big telescope out
on Massachusetts, avenue is turned to
the west and an anxious search is
made in all corners of the heavens
Halley's comet is seen clearly for the
brief period between sundown and
darkness. 1t is moving with great
rapidity, and becoming more plainly
defined every day. But the new comet
has not yet been seen at the naval
or other observatories of the United
States, SO far as is known.
1--WE received a cable from Prof.
Pidoux three days ago." said Prof.
Asaph Hall, in charge of the observa-
tory. last night. "He told us of his
discovery, and predicted that the view
of the comet in the United States
would be comparatively clear. We
have searched for it every night, but
have not had propitious weather for
our quest. 1t would be impossible
to say whether this phenomenon
ranks in Importance with Halley's
comet.
I'm few weeks the man in the
street will be gaming sat the western
/! skies in. Woaderment at, this time
honored flyer He will have to be
sharp. however, for the comet canno,
be seen until after the sun sinks be-
low the horizon. and it rapidly fol-
lows before any great time has pass
ed. Halley's comet is periodic, cir
cling the sun in its paraDolic orbit
once in every seventy-four years. The
Chinese first observed it many CEN
turtles ago. 1t has been studied regu-
larly since that time.
Shower Of MeteOrs.
"'Comet A. 1910 was visible a few
weeks ago. This was the first pheno-
menon of the year. Pidouzs comet
has been informally named Comet B,
but little data has been so far OBJ
tained. Its orbit has not, of course,
been plotted.
when the orbit of the earth cross
es that of comet we have shower
Of meteors as result. These stray
mineral fragments are left behind in
the comets mad rush through space,
and hang suspended until they come
| within the influence of some planet
or satellite. Many of the smaller
meteors are melted by friction when
they strike the surface of the earth s
atmosphere; those which penetrate
below the surface are Immediately at
tracted by gravity.
THE orbit of the normal comet is
what is known as parabolic, but a
few have courses about the sun which
are distinctly elliptical. Halley's COM
ct will be rare sight for the public.
and years probably will pass before
We have It's PnMal AGAIN -