A NEW COMET

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 5 December 1927, Page 5

A NEW COMET

OBSERVED IN WANGANUI LARGE NUCLEUS A TAIL. TRAVELLING VERY RAPIDLY. (Per Press Association). Wellington, Dec. 5. A new comet was observed at Wanganui at 8.35 o’clock on Sunday by Mr. Hilton and Mr. Gawith. Hawera picked it up a few minutes later. It has a large nucleus, a widelyspread head and a large tail. It is situated in the constellation Norma, which is further south than Scorpio. Its position was then given as. 16 hours 5 minutes right ascension, ad 53 degrees south declination; but this morning, Mr. Townsend at Hawera, reported the comet as being one of the second magnitude and easily visible to the naked eye, the position then being 16 hours 20 minutes right ascension, and 52 degrees south declination. Apparently the comet is travelling very rapidly. It is hoped to pick it up on the telescope at the Dominion Observatory this afternoon. A cable from Melbourne to Dr. Adams announced the discovery of the comet there on Saturday, but' mutilation of the cnble message prevented any accurate determination of the position. SEEN AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Per Press Association). Christchurch, Dec. 5. The Rev. B Dudley, of Lyttelton, reports having observed a beautiful comet shortly after 9 o’clock last night, in strong moonlight. It was situated between the two constellations Norma and Ara, and at the hour named lies in a southerly direct tion.