COMETS AND THE EARTH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 273, 24 April 1873, Page 6

COMETS AND THE EARTH.

(From the "Argus")

The problem of what would be the consequences if a comet and the earth were to ccuue into collision, has always been a source of .alarm to old women and of dicussion«to philosophers. But now, if we are to trusc to the assertions of science, resting on the deductions of a calculating astronomer, and verified by an observing astronomer, we are enabled to answer the question, and say that there is not the slightest danger to be apprehended from such an occurrence. The assertion is that the earth touched a comet an the 27th of November, without its presence being indicated by any phenomena whatever. A long report from Mr. Pogson, the Government astronomer at Madras, as printed in a Madras paper, gives the details of the occurrence. Astronomers had, according to this report, been aware of a liability of the telescopic comet known as Biela's to pass very near the earth's orbit. Besides this condition of proximity, this comet possessed other claims to special interest, hi 1864 it was seen to divide into two comets, each going its own road, and in 1866, when it was known to be due, it could not be found. Nothing could be learned of the lost comet till a few weeks ago.

" I now come," says Mr. Pogson, "to describe the ciraumstances of its re-discovery here on the morning of the 3rd December. On the evening of November 30, 1 received a telegram from Professor Klinkerfuhes, of Gottingen, one of the leading cometary authorities of the present time, which ran thus — ' Biela touched earth on 27th. Search near Theta Centauri.' " This Mr. Pogson found to be a " staggerer," or, as he puts the same idea in other words, " the intelligence was most startling." He left the important observations lie had in hand, searched for the comet, and two days afterwanls, weather permitting, found it in the direction indicated by the telegram. It had altered its appearance, and was 11 deg. out of place, which " shows some wonderful change in the orbit, and countenances belief in the extraordinary telegram that the comet ' touched the earth on November 27.' " Mr. Pogson reckons that the contact must have taken place, if at all, in about 30deg. south latitude, and says — "Its comae-like nebulae consists of nitrogen gas and some other, unknown in our world. It is impossible to surmise what local effect such a sudden acquisition such, new gaseous matter might have upon the health of the inhabitants, if any, of the part grazed by it. Has the dreaded catastrophe of bygone ages actually occurred while we were unconscious of the fact, and neither the earth nor the comet suffered from the collision 1 Tt appears probable We must wait and see."