WHAT TO EXPECT ON THURSDAY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 819, 17 May 1910, Page 6

WHAT TO EXPECT ON THURSDAY.

uteres™ opinions. iay solve sgroe scientific iysterses.

"Have- you seen the comet?" is a daily question, replied to in the generality of cases by a lazy—"Oh, I'll see it when it shows up in the evening!" But people should not be divorted from seeing this marvellous phenomenon of the heavens in the early morning. It is the most brilliant and majestically impressive sight that one could imagine in tho world of comets. It rose yesterday into a clear sky at about 4,30 a.m., and an hour later was .an eye-filling spectacle, extending in one magnificent sweep across tho north-eastern section of the star-lit heavens, from the lino of hills beyond Wainui to a point -approximating the zenith. It was as if some giant artist had selected the inverted dome of night for his canvas, and had, with a master stroke, painted Light. The magmtudo of the comet is the most enthralling thought one has on viewing this old celestial tourist. Some of us can remember comets—the one of 1882, for instance—but it- is doubtful if anyone living has ever seen one that appears so large as Halley's. Its size has astonished those who have made a particular study of tho visitor in the light of its previous appearances. "Astronomers at Home and hi America classed Halley's as a comet of the second class," says Mr. G. V. Hudson, the well-known local observer', "but this is boyond all shadow of doubt a first-class comet, and one that will be famous in astronomical records of the future." How it Appears. The white-veiled visitor, as seen at about 5.30 a.m. yesterday, was a profoundly impressive sight. The nucleus (or head) of the comet was surrounded by a i luminous corona, which, to the naked eye, obscured its definite outline, but which was not proof against a good lens, and from this hazy coma a broad ribbon of gradually broadening phosphorescent light swept in a slight curvo up to the zenith point, where it thinned away to nothing. The comet is said to be 43,000,000 miles long! What a wonder is hero! What Is the Tail? "What is tho tail—this tail that the earth may or may not pass through?" The question was put'to Mr. G. V. Hudson. "Well," said Mr. Hudson smiling, "it is set down as matter which the nucleus rejeots and is repelled by the sun. That is why the tail of the comet, always projects away from the sun. i Tail First. "It now moves into view over the horizon tail first, because the sun is coming up after it, but on the 19th it will lie directly between the sun and the earth—that's when we expect to be swished by tho tail. Whether the particles are capable of isolation, or whether the tail will or will not envelope the earth no one knows. All I know is that the tail matter—if it is mattermust bo very attenuated. Only this morning I was ablo to pick out a star through the toil close up to the nucleus, where one would expect to get the matter at its maximum density. Tho slightest terrestrial cloud 'would have obscured the star, but its brightness was little affected by tho tail." Mr. Hudson makes mo claim to bo considered a mathematical astronomer, but he judges that the comet now extends for about 70 ' degrees—seven-ninths of the distance from tho true horizon to zenith. He believes that no harm can result from an acquaintance with the comet's.tail, but ventured the belief on it being suggested that tho glow of the tail might tend to brighten the light here on earth during such time as the tail is in contact with the earth. Ho does not believe that so small an object as the head of the comet traversing the sun's disc—a spectacle arranged -to take place between 1.50 p.m. and 2.50 on Thursday next—will make any effect in the' nature of a partial eclipse. Mr. Hudson understands that' scientists intend to attompt to bottle the tail if it sweeps the earth and to try and analyse its matter. . He is doubtful that any results of moment will be achieved.