THE COMET.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1857, 5 February 1880, Page 3

THE COMET.

[Br Tbikqeaph.]

fFBOir OUH OWN COBEBSPONDBNIS.] WELLINGTON, February 4. Great sensation was created last night by the appearance of a singular beam of softly shaded light in the south-west, looking like the tail of a comet. If so, however, the nucleus must have been far below the horizon. The apparent length of the tail was about forty degrees. The principal New Zealand savants here are not quite certain yet what it is. Our chief astronomers—Dr. Hector and Archdeacon Stock—at first completely differed. The doctor was convinced it was only the zodiacal light unusually bright. The Archdeacon was equally sure it was the Aurora Australis, and each learned gentleman was provided with an array of evidence and authorities in support of his views. Later in the day, however, telegraphic reports from other places, Sydney particularly, seemed to induce the unanimous opinion that it was a comet after all, but one not yet known or registered in astronomical lists. The re-ap-pearance to-night is watched for with great interest.

TIMARU, February 4. A very large comet was observed in the western sky last evening, its tail extending for fully thirty-five degrees. Its head was below the horizon. The weather is too thick to see it to-night. AUCKLAND, February 4. The appearance of the comet is causing considerable excitement in scientific circles. The tail reaches from twenty-five degrees above the horizon to below the horizon at sunset. It is visible in the S.W. and is believed to be approaching the sun.