HALLEY’S COMET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1158, 14 October 1913, Page 4

HALLEY’S COMET.

WAS THHRE CONTACT WITH THE EARTH.

At the recent meeting of the Sydney branch of the British Astronomical Association the subject of the earth passing through the tail of Halley’s comet was revived. Mr Beattie maintained, ou mathematical grounds, apart altogether from observed fact, that such an occurrence was an impossibility unless material substance could move with velocities almost lufiuile, as otherwise the tail would certainly be curved, aud, moreover, would lag behind the radius vector. He was aware that Professor Barnard, of Yerkes, recently, in observing a new star, believed he had evidence ol gaseous matter travelling outwards at the velocity of several millions of miles per minute, but he could not bring himself to believe that, within the comparatively small compass of a comet’s nucleus such tremendously explosive forces could be evolved, as in the case of a cataclysm caused by the collision of two dead suns, if such were the cause of the Nova.

Mr Gale said that the phenomenon referred to was Nova Persei, ot which he had prints in his possession. He considered Professor Barnard was right in his conclusions, that it was the actual matter itself in motion and not, as some supposed, the light arriving at matter previously in existence. One could not say what might be taking place in a comet’s head, and be held an open mind on the subject. Mr Nangle upheld the view taken by Mr Beattie, but at the same time felt strongly attracted towards a study of the new field opened up by Professor Barnard.