THE METEOR SHOW

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1932, Page 10

THE METEOR SHOW

WATCHERS DISAPPOINTED

SWARM OFF ITS -TRACK

/Enthusiastic astronomers, amateur and otherwise, and eager sightseers without astronomical preoccupations, were, sadly disappointed, for no s;wann of meteors rewarded their vigil during the early ihours this?morning. .' However, at' least, one meteor was seen, as is often the case.at this;'time of \ year, but of anything like the display seen 6,6 years ago there was not the slightest sign." ~ ..,"•■ ;•;: ■;-'--.-.-. ':' .■'.-'::"-■

All hope of the return of the Leonids, as these meteors are' called, has not been given up; Although the morning of 17th November Was calculated to be the; most probable time: of the'return . of; the meteors, if they were- to return at all, there is still a possibility of the meteors putting in a belated .appearance during the next few nights. Unealculated' perturbations \in orbits may have thrown the meteors a bit off their stride. This is what is supposed to have happened in 1899, the last occasion^ when the- swarm.- was due. Nothing \exeiting happened then, "and the. theory was mooted that the swarm, which had been so conspicuous in 1833 and again in 1866, had somehow become disintegrated or had travelled away on some new path. But astronomers the world over became quite optimistic this year about the return of the swarm and made elaborate preparations to greet it with telescopes and cameras. ■..._-_ . . ■

Enthusiasts early this morning even climbed Mount Victoria to be sure of a good view. , "And it. was not even Ist April," remarked one disgruntled member of • a midnight expedition. Astronomers -and newspapers were the target of-several uncomplimentary remarks on the part of the disappointed ivatchers, though neither, of course, was really .to.blamed Had the swarm appeared in-all its glory, and .had nothing been said previously about its advent, what an outcry, there ■would have been on the part.of those ;'who missed it! - : . . ~'/:. ' : .

•;-:;.' Even if it is -a case of :once bitten twice shy with thY ordinary citizen, real astronomers -vvill be on the -watch again for several nights to conic. And perhaps their patience will be re-, warded, for, as Dr. C. E. Adams, the Government Astronomer, remarked this morning: ."The orbit cannot be calculated like that of a comet; perturbations may have affected, it, and it would be very difficult to arrive at perfect accuracy in prediction."

(To the Editor.) ■ Sir,—My friend, ;■. the : author of "Starry Skies," reminded me a day or two ago of the-impending visit of the Leonid meteors. 1 set my alarm clock for 2.30 a.m. before" going to bed last night, and arose from my, bed at that hour and sallied forth to watch for the meteors. It is-now. nearly 4 a.m., and I have jjust returned Co ;my domicile, but have seen no meteors; the orbit of the swarm has evidently moved closer to the sun, as was suspected 33 years ago. "-;■-■/•' I would not, however, have missed my early rising for anything." Whilst watching for the display at a corner of The Terrace a tall' athletic. figure materialised apparently from thin air and confronted me. I realised under the policeman's searching gaze that my appearance, having hastily dressed, and demeanour were not reassuring. He asked if I were waiting for someone, and I said no, I was waiting to see some meteors —which sounded and felt unconvincing. However, he satisfied himself by most fretful and courteous conversation with me that I was harmless, and went his way with his busy torchlight and I went mine. Mighty good fellows, these ; policemen, and as a funetionnaire and part of the expense of Government makes one almost content to pay one's income tax.—l am, etc., -■■, CITIZEN. :