THE COMET'S TAIL.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 808, 4 May 1910, Page 5

THE COMET'S TAIL.

VISIBLE PART WILL EXTEND TO EARTH. By Teleerari-Preßa Msociation-GopyrUhl. CRec. May. 1, 0.15 a.m.) Sydney, May 3. Mr. John Tebbutt, F.R.A.S., tlio wellknown astronomer, who has a private observatory at Windsor (on the Hawkesbury) estimates that the tail of Halloy's comet measures ten million miles. He says it is very probable that the visible part of tho tail will extend as far as the oarth on May 19. Even if the earth is not enveloped it Trill have a very narrow escape. He asks obsorvers to record their experiences >as regards atmospheric, meteorici and electrical phenomena on that date.

A NOTABLE CAREER.

Mr. John Tebbntt, F.R.A.S., astronomer, was born at Windsor, £Jew South AVales, 75 years ago. He is the grandson of John Tebbutt, whose,family formed a portion of a small band of immigrants who came to Sydney in the ship Nile in 1801. >The astronomer was educated mainly under fee Revs. Mathiew Adam and Henry T. Stiles, of Windsor. As regards astronomy (says'"John/s Notable Australians") he is 6elf-taught. He established an observatory in bis native place, which has for many years been regarded as one I of tho principal working observatories of the world. Ho has solved many important problems in astronomy. His work has consisted mainly of observations of comets, minor planets, double stars, lunar occnltations of stars and phenomena of Jupiter's satellites. Is the author of "Forty Tears' Meteorological Work." His astronomical work is chiefly recorded in numorous contributions to the Royal Astronomical Society's Monthly Notices and the Astronomische Nachrichten, extending from 1802 to the present time. He received the silver medal of tho Paris Exhibition .Commissioners for astronomical services in connection with that Exposition in 1867. In 1873 he was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Astronomical Society, and was awarded in 1905 their Jackson-Gwilt medal for distinguished services 'extending over nearly half a century. THE COMET AND VENUS. IB* Telespaph.yßDsc!al Correspondent.* Auckland, May 3. Mr. J. T. Stovonson, F.R.A.S., states that Halley's comet is now passing close to Venus, and is at a distance of about ten millions of miles from that planet. It is unlikely that the comet's tail will envelope Venus, but the comet will probably be largely perturbed by the planet's vicinity, and further perturbations will doubtless occur on its passage near te the earth on May 19.