Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-19
A n y
Omaha Weather Bureau First to Note
Unusual Ring About the
Moon.
CROWDS OUT TO SEE PHENOMENON
Experts Figure Event Took Place
from S;S7 to 1887 P. M.
BIG SPOTS FOUND ON SUN
California Astronomer Makes Known
Discovery
WEATHER BALLOONS SENT UP
Extensive Preparations Made to
observe Whatever Effects Iny
Result from Visit of Sky
MandcrCr.

Up to 10 o'clock last night the earth was
sun on the job. n considerable norton nr
the United states had passed through the
tan OF the comet without being disturbed
IN any way, and it appeared that prcdic-
''ohS OF astronomers that nothing would
happen was to be verified throughout
There was little to be seen In thc skios
last evening, though queer white CIRCLE
round tho moon was observable at 10
O'Clock. This was the only unusual metero-
logical phenomenon observed up to that
hour in Omaha The circle was nor like
the ordinary moon ring but larger more
distinctly defined and of whittier color.
Meantime thousands were comet gazing
without result on their retlnas More pco-
pie gazed at the heavens last night than
Tor many many years, but they saw Moth
ing except for the moons ring spoken of.
Comet balloons went up from Fort Omaha
yesterday, not with the hope of meeting
the celestial visitors. but with sounding in
struments on board with which it is hoped
to get records of the atmospheric influ-
ence of the comet.
These balloons were sent up by c. $.
Woods and G. r. Gregg United states re-
search observers from Mount Weather. Va.
one balloon was sent up in the morning.
ahother at y. m., and a third at 10 u. m
The weather bureau had received instruc-
tions from the chief Of the weather bureau
at Washington to be on the lookout for any
special atmospheric or meteorological phe-
nomena in this locality during the passage
OF the earth through the tail of the comet
last night.
This relates more particularly to any au-
roral displays, meteoric showers or electric
disturbances. The weather bureau force
was on duty during the time of the pas
n arfh t,,,h 81
to look out for anything unusual
Hour of Transit.
WILLIAMS BAY, wis, May S.-The
earth passed through tho tail of the comet
between the hours of S:37. and 1857 O'Clock
tonight central time; according to an an
nouncement made here tonight.
Two Spots on sun.
SAN JOSE, CAL May Is.-Prof. j. S.
Ricard of Santa Clara college meterolog-
ical observatory informs the Associated
Press, that today he observed two large
spots on the sun, both intensely black
one Is about twelve hours from the
central meridian, east of 1t are thirteen
pores, or small spots. These spots are
entirely new as tor three monts almost
nothing in the nature of spots had been
observed.
Three awful groups" Is the way Father
Brennan describes the spots. The recur-
renee of spots at this time is very un-
usual but there is nothing in il to cause
uneasiness," said Father Brennan. 1T
simply indicates unusual Internal activity.
There is no possible correction between
the comet and the sun spots. II would
require a body as large as the earth to
fall into the sun to make such a spot
as the large one in the principal proup."
Southern Negroes In Fear,
STANFORD, Ky, May Is Scores Of
negroes professed salvation at all-night
services held in their churches here last
night to prepare themselves for whatever
may happen when the earth passes through
the comets tail today Fields arc practi-
cally denuded of farm hands for negroes
have refused to work and are flocking tC
town.
what Are Comets.
MARE ISLAND, Cal, May lS.-Prof r
j. J. See, astronomer in charge of Tn,
L, s. Naval observatory at Mare Island
announced today as the outcome of years
of research as to the origin of comets
which, he said. were some of the primitive
masses once forming the solar ncbula and
could be popularity described as immature
undeveoped planets
In the course of researches made at
Mare Island the last two years on tho
origin Of the solar system" said Prot
See, II have proved that comets are really
survivas of the outer shell Of an ancient
nebula from which our system was de.
veloped. AL the inner harts Of tho ncbua
have been cleared away In producing sun
planets and satellites but many small
masses still survive on the outer shell of