COMET.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1699, 17 April 1917, Page 4

COMET.

APPROACHING THE EARTH,

Some particulars of the comet which is approaching the earth, and *Avill this year be visible to the naked eye, are given in the Daily Express. It is one of the largest cver seen, and is not expected to be visible from the earth again for (10,000 years after its disappearance. It will be known in astronomical circles as “Wolfe’s Comet,” in acknowledgement of its discoverer, Professor Wolf, of Heidelberg, who first saw it on April 27th last. Dr. A. C. D. Crommelin, the astronomer, says the new comet was “followed” by telescope from April until July, when, owing to the fact that the sun passed in front of it, it became invisible. It was “picked up” a few days ago by the telescope of one of the great observatories in America, and the fact was briefly cabled to Greemvich. “It is noAV observed as a morning star,” says Dr Crommelin, “but it is visible only through telescopes. It Avill continually approach nearer the earth until July, when it well become a faint naked eye object, but not a grand one, owing to its great distance from the sun. Its least distance from the earth is one and two-thirds the earth distance from the sun —that is to say, it is far outside the earth’s orbit, and comets that distance away do not make brilliant display. As the sun’s mean distance from the earth is about 92,800,000 miles, the nearest point to the earth which the cornel will reach will he about 104,(100,000 miles. “In July,” added Dr. Crommelin, “the new comet will be getting away from the sun, and nearer the earth. It will be folknved by the telescopes for a year after that, until toAvards the end of 1918. Altogether it will be under observation for about two and twothird years, whereas Halley’s Comet was visible for only one and onethird years.”