ENCKE’S COMET
A REGULAR VISITOR.
Encke’s comet, the reappearance of which has been reported, although not a spectacular celestial visitor, is interesting in that it has the shortest known cometary period, going round the sun once in every three and a-quarter years. It passes within 31 million miles of the sun each time it conies round,, this being a closer approach than any other comet, and for this season it is usually visible. But as it is only of the ninth magnitude, a small telescope or field glasses will be required if it is to be seen. It is now near the star Procyon in the western sky, and can be seen more clearly in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern. Most comets are named after their discoverers, but not so Enck’s. It was first seen in 1795 by a Parisian astronomer. In November, 1818, Pons, whose name is borne by another comet, observed it for 40 days. J. F. Encke, the celebrated German astronomer, then made this comet his special study. He accurately calculated its orbit, and his prediction of its return in 1822 was correct. In view of the great amount of mathematical work done by Encke on this comet, it was agreed amongst astronomers to give it his.»iame. Encke’s comet has been observed every time it has returned since 1818, a distinction shared only by Halley’s comet. Other comets go missing or are so situated that they cannot be observed, but both Encke’s and Halley’s comet (the latter having a period of nearly three-quarters of a century) have been picked up by astronomers each time they jiave come round. Of course, bow much longer Encke’s comet, or Halley’s, or any other for that matter, will continue its journey round the sun no one knows. Something may happen to disintegrate it or to cause it to fly away into space. But it would seem as if it is getting_ tired, for each time it comes round it is 2J hours later than before. Expert astronomers are agreed that this is so, but they are not agreed as to the cause.
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Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 63
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353ENCKE’S COMET A REGULAR VISITOR. Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 63
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