To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Straits Guardian.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 15, 18 January 1845, Page 3

To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Straits Guardian.

Sin,—l beg leave to forward you the following observations on the Comet, It was first seen on December 22, 1844 travelling through the constellation Sagittarius, near the northern part of Corona Australia, At that

time it was very faint. It attained its greatest brilliance on January 1, 1845, when the nucleus was equal in brightness to a star of 2$ magnitude. As the beard becomes gradually invisible at a distance from the nucleus, it is almost impossible to define its exact limits. It may, however, be stated that its length (January I) was observed to be not less than B°, nor more than 10°, and its width at the extremity about X 9X 9 30. It extends from the Ducleus nearly in the direction in which the Comet is moving ; and is brightest along the centre line. The following table is sufficiently near the truth, to enable any person to mark its track on a celestial globe or map of the stars ; and the dis - tances and observations given below will assist our English Astronomers (to whom the Comet is not visible) in calculating its elements.

The following observations were taken between 9 and 10 p.m. — January 3. — The Nucleus in a, direct line with Epsilon and Alpha in the constellation Grus. Observed distance from Alpha A 9 31' 35". January 4. — Observed distance from Alpha (in Grus) 3° 16' 4C", from Beta (in Grus) 7° 465 3, and from Fomalhant 18° 15' 40". January 7. — From Fomalhaut 140 51' 40", and from Beta (in Grus) 3° 3' 13". January 8. — From Achernar 29° 18' 40". The rising clouds prevented any further observation. i January 9. — Observed distances from Fomalhaut 14° 28' 27"; Achernar 27° 54' 57"; Alpha (in Grns) 10° 2' 47" ; and from Theta (in Grus) 000 57' 13". January 10.— From Fomalhaut 13° 48' 20" ; Alpha (in Grus) 12° 74 0"; Achernar 26° 38' 10. January 12.— From Fomalhaut 140 37' 35" ; Alpha (in Grus) 16° 17' 00" ; Achernar 24° 27' 2"; lofa (in Phoenix) 00° 33' 40" ; and from Alpha (in Phoenix) 9o 13' 42". 1 The beord of the Comet is (January 12) about 7° in length, and the nucleus equal in brilliance to a star of the sth or 6th magnitude. The direction in which the Comet is now moving is a little inclined to the north, but, as it is at the same time rapidly receding from the carth r and will in a few days become invisible, it will entirely escape the observation of Astronomers in England, while it will be visible a little above the horizon in France. I am, Sir, * Your obedient servant, Robert Sheppakd. New Zealand Company's Survey-office, Wellington, January 15, 1845.

Date 1845. Declination. Right ascension. January 1 440 00' 317° 30' 3 44 45 324 40 4 45 00 327 40 6 45 00 334 10 7 44 55 337 30 9 44 20 343 00 10 44 00 346 00 12 43 00 351 50