The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-12-26
1884 HEAVENS
WILL FEATURE
FOUR ECLIPSES
Return of Comet Slated for
Astronomical Pro-
gram.

~ Science Service
-Four eclipses. two Of the moon
and two Of the sun. the almost
certain temperance Of one comet
and the possible return of another,
are among the most interesting
events on the astronomical program
for 1884
But the most important of
astronomical events have a habit of
happening without any warning.
The year might, for example. bring
the appearance of an unheralded
comet, rivalling in brilliance the
famous ones Of the past It might
bring nova, or new star" which,
flashing out Of previous obscurity,
would exceed in brightness most of
the other objects in the sky.
Perhaps the astronomers who are
constantly studying the heavens will
find new member of the suns
family of planets, that, including
the earth, revolve around the sun.
The last such discovery came I'M
expectedly in 1880 when astronomers
at the Lowell Observatory in
Arizona found Pluto, now the most
distant of the known planets.
Total Eclipse Feb. IA
Such things as eclipses and
periodic comets can be predicted
with more certainty, and astron-
omers do know that on Feb. ii the
moons shadow will pass across
Borneo and the Pacific ocean, pro-
ducing a total eclipse of the sun in
those regions. Only two small
islands are at all well placed where
astronomers can observe this eclipse.
These are under japanese mandate,
and it is expected that party of
astronomers from Toxic will set up
their instruments to make those OBJ
servations which are possible only
at eclipse time
There are three other eclipSes
scheduled for the year. On Jan. 80
the moon will partly enter the
earth's shadow, producing partial
lunar eclipse, but this will not be
seen from any part of the United
States. Another partial eclipse Of
the moon will come on July 26,
which will be seen from the west
ern states. Then, on Aug. 10, an
annular eclipse of the sun will hap
pen At this time the moon will
come directly between the earth and
sun, but the moon will then be a lit
tie farther away than normally, so
that it will fail to cover the sun
completely, leaving ring of sun
light visible around it. This will be
observed from South Africa, but
such an eclipse is of little scientific
interest, because even the narrow
ring of the sun which remains Wis
ible prevents any of the usual
eclipse observations.
Comet to Return
One of the most dependable of
periodic comets is confidently ex-
pected to return this year. This is
Encke's comet, which comes back to
the vicinity of the earth once in 33
years. 1t has been observed on
every return since it was first dis
covered about a century ago. The
Tuttle-G iacobini comet may also
reappear, though there is some I'M
certainty as to its exact orbit. If it
should fail to appear during 1884,
astronomers will not expect it until
1887.
Meteors are perhaps the least
dependable of astronomical objects,
as those who watched in vain for
a great shower last November will
be able to testify. However it is still
hoped that this November may
bring a fairly decent shower, though
there seems to be no possible hope
that there will be a great display
like the famous ones of the past.
Apparently the great cluster of
these meteorS has passed the earth,
but this year we may run into the
tail end of it, as We seem to have
done in 1901, after having missed
the great shower the previous year.
Mercury to Appear
Twice during the year the inner
most of the planets. the seldom seen
Mercury. will come into the evening
sky. Around Feb. Is, and again
about June IA. it will remain in the
western sky for a while after sun
set. Venus will be in the morning
sky during most of the year. AT
the very beginning of January, how
ever, it will be at its greatest bril-
lance, and will be seen, as it has
been for several months, in the
western sky after sunset. Then it
will pass between the sun and the
earth, and on March II it will again
be extremely bright as morning
star.
Mars will be visible during the
latter part of the year as a morn
ing star. Jupiter will be seen in the
evening sky for many months. On
April s it will be directly oppo-
site to the sun. at opposition. and
will rise at sunset, remaining Wis
ible all night. Saturn will SINH
larly be at opposition on Aug. Is,
so that it will be conspicuous in the