The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-16
Halley's Wanderer Will
Be Closest to Earth
Wednesday.
OPINIONS VARY
AS TO RESULTS
No Harmful Effects Feared, but
Practically All Scientists Agree
That Stranger in the Heavens
Is Disturbing Atmospheric
conditions-Battery of
Cameras in Readiness.

Washington, ID. c.. May 15.--Hallcy's
Its closest approach to the Garth by
a bristling battery of telescopes
flanked by rapid fire lenses in the
celestial cameras of the naval obser-
vatory, the only national observatory
III the United States. The government
observers are prepared for the great
star that is rushing through space,
and elaborate calculations have been
made as to the minute and second the
flying comet will be at given places
in the heavens, where 1t will be OBJ
served and photographed.
Among the scientists there is some
difference of opinion as to the effect
the wandering star will have upon
the earth. but the differences arc
minor. Professor Asaph Hail. of the
naval observatory. would not be sur
prised if there were shower of
1neteors. He advanced his theory with
the same calmness that he would
prophesy a shower OF rain.
Expect Quiet Passing.
Others. and they appear in the ma
jority. expect no disturbances will
mark the passing of the comet. Edwin
+. Naulty of New York. who has been
and spectroscopic observations of the
visitor, takes issue with Professor
Halls contention, declaring that the
tall of the comet is composed neither
of gas nor of nleteoric bodies. and that
such shower as Professor Hall deems
possible could not follow.
THE tail of ualley's comet, to all
intents and purposes. Is celestial
searchlight." said Mr.. Naulty to-day.
1T is nothing more than sunlight con-
densed from radiant solar energy and
processes through the solar system
precisely as a lens focuses, condenses
and transmits Light
He asserts that fhe tail of the
comet is not composed of gas or OF
minute particles of matter. or of me-
teoric bodies. The entire solar sys-
TEN. Mr.. Naulty says, is filled with
gases in varying states of density All
these gases, poisonous and nonpoison-
Gus, are present in the earth's at
mosphere In dense form.
The changing spectrum of Halley's
comet. according to Mr. Naulty's the
Dry, is due to the fact that as the
comets great tail" of light sweeps
through various parts OF the solar
system 1t lights up different layers Of
gases. conveying the impression that
the tail itself is gaseous. Mr.. Naulty
says the spectrum of reflected sun
light is always present in the head
and tail of tho comet, thus proving
that both parts Of 1t are by sunlight
alone made visible.
Causes Disturbance.
THE sweeping of this cometary cone
of solar force does cause disturbance
In the solar SYSTEM said Mr.. Naulty.
The earth and all the planets are af-
fected, not only when they come with
In the actual cone. as the earth Will
do on Wednesday, but also by the
ethereal waves set In motion by the
comets tall
at is the constant attempt of the
earth's mass and its atmosphere TO
adjust themselves to this disturbance
that has caused the prevalent earth
stremors, storms and similar phenome.
ma.
The climax will be reached this
week. There will be no collision Of
the earth and comet. uor will the
earth be enveloped in poisonous gases
The effect of tho massage may be to
cause great cond en5ation of atmos-
pheric vapors. so that automatically the
earth will be provided with a sort OF
shield which will act like a lead
screen used to protect N-ray opera
tors"
At the naval observatory scientists
have been Watching the comet through
the powerful telescopes every morning
Just before sunrise. when 1t Is bright
est. The observers each day can note
the broadening of the tail and the
enlargement Of the head. The heav-
enly body will increase in apparent
size and brilliancy until Wednesday,.
when it will begin to decrease and In
a few weeks will disappear into space,
not to be seen again for nearly u cen
tury.