HAILEY'S COMET.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10049, 21 May 1910, Page 5

HAILEY'S COMET.

I MR CLEMENT WRAGGE. 1 ■ . MAKES CAREFUL OBSERVATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Received May 20, 9.55 p.m. LAUNCESTON. May 20. Mr Clement Wragge reports making careful observations of thecrmet's transit with a special solar telescope. T,he only indication of transit win a display of auroral or magnetic glare all round the solar edge Bnd sunlight. It was slightly misty while the observations were in progress, but a magnificent group of solar storms was witnessed.

Mr Wragge adds that altogether the observations show that the nucleus of the comet is not solid, but an aggregation of eosmical elections in violent motion, and repelled cot wards by the pressure of solar light, thua forming a tenuous tail. The barometric pressure was perfectly steady but the compass needle seermd slightly to quiver, and we may yet hear of electrical storms." Reverting to the storms witnessed in tie sun. Mr Wragge says they are favourable to further earthquake and volcanic action in regions of seismic activity. ,'■ - ■ '.•."■;

OBSERVATIONS IN SYDNEY.

Received p.m. SYDNEY, May 19. The Sydney Observatory it ports that the llj-inch refractor was used in an endeavour-to trace the comet as it crossed the sun's disc between 12.22 and 1.22 o'c!ock[this aftercosi. Three astronomers spent an he up watching the sun, but no trace of the comet could be found. Several patches and sun-spots were observed. Some of them bad to be watched very closely before a definite announcement as to the possibility eff their being the nucleus of the comet could be made.

'.. An independent observer cntside reports that a careful search made by him res*ilted similarly

By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 20." Observations' taken in Wellington in connection with the transit of Halley's comet yesterday were of a negative character.

NO EFFECT AT V. OODVILLE. By Telegraph—Press Association. WOODVILLS, Msy2o. If the tail uf Halley's comet swished our earth last night, the effect was not felt here. The night w»s beautifully clear, but no difference was noticei?.