The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1911-11-02
THREE COMETS In
SKIES FOR FIRST TIME

Three comets-count 'em-three!
For the first time in the history OF
astronomy, this many wild solar wand
erers have been held in captivity be-
fore the largest audience that ever
saw the greatest show on earth. Glim-
mering, glowing, cleaning, gorgeous,
gaseous gadders They have been
gadding all over the universe since the
lord only knows when, but they are
now visiting, all at the same time,
within the ken of man.
Yes, two comets are now visible to
the naked eye. one in the evening and
one in the morning sky, while third
one may be seen with an opera glass
or small telescope, if one cares to
look for it.
Professor S. A. Mitchell of Column
bia university, noted authority
among the strangers, tells in the issue
OF the Scientific American of October
81, all about these three comets, and
just how to find them.
BELGJAWSKYi
Get that? Belgjawsky. Yes, that's
it. Just like bell first then like
a Jaw" second; then ''skee" at the
finish. Well that's the name of one
of these comets. 1t was named after
Mr. Belgjawsky, who discovered it on
the morning of September 20. 1t was
the first comet ever discovered in
Russia This shows that mere chance
governs even the heavenly bodies, for
if this poor comet hadn't been dis
covered by a Russian, it would have
a chance-but with a name like that,
it's all off,
1t is not known yet whether this
is a lady comet or gentleman com
ct, but indications in it's movements
point to the latter suspicion, because
no lady would stay out so late. The
Beljawslxy, too, pursues such zig
gag course in the wee sma hours that
t is believed it should be called
him. and not her" as is usual with
astral bodies.
This Belgjawsky comet, however,
nay be simply called comet &C." if
)ne wants to appear wise and at the
same time not risk a dislocation of
he inferior maXillary.
Or one may call 1t No. 7, just like
l convict, and be perfectly correct
md scientific.
The year 1911 has been rather re-
narkable in that no less than seven
comets were discovered in the nine
months before the end of September
rhe sixth comet for the year, known
n astronomical circles as comet "F,"
Oil, was discovered abroad on the
of September 23, by outset,
while the seventh comet, or &c"
Oil, was picked up on the morning
of September 20 by Mister Belgjaw
ky, who happened at that time to be
n Russia, so it may fairly be called
rushing comet.
PROFESSIONAL discussion of the Belg-
awsky comet, the Brooks comet, and
he Quenisset comet, is in part as fol-
ows:
For a few days after the discovery,
t appeared as if Belgjawsky's comet
we're going to fulfill the wish for a
rilliant comet On September 80, the
lorning after it's discovery, on a |
ather bright sky due to the coming |
avn, Professor Frost at the Yerkes
observatory saw the comets nucleus !
S bright as Regulus, the chief star
I the "Sickle," with tail or 6 de-
rees in length. Under slightly more |
avorable circumstances, the comet |
yould probably have been as bright |
S Halley's, when this interesting WISH
Or was present in the morning skies.
Unfortunately, however, the comet
id not live up to expectations, so |
nat now we have not a comet N the |
ky so brilliant that all may see it |
'ltnOut the AID OF Specldl n'IectlOnS.
A glance at the comets elements at |
nee showed to the expert astrono-
Ter that this was most unusual
omet Here was a comet moving al
lost at right angles to the plane of
he ecliptic, and remarkable for that
eason.
The unit for measuring distances to