THE COMET.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 814, 11 May 1910, Page 9

THE COMET.

LECTURE BY MR. G. V. HUDSON.

In the I.M.C.A. Rooms, last evening, air. G. \Hudson lectured on "Astronomy and Hallev's Comet." Mr. J. G. iv. Aitken was chairman. » '/The approach of Halle.v's Comet," l /' -Hi. ll ® o ", "has liad the good eflect of causing a. very largo number of people to take an interest in what can be seen in the skies," The lecturer went on , to say that Venus, which had attracted a Rood deal of attention, because of its proximity to the was tho brightest body (with the exception of the sun and moon) to be seen in the heavens, and was visible either m tho morning or evening. On Thursday, May 19, when it was expected that the earth would pass through tho tail of tho comet, no cause for alarm being anticipated, the Aarth, tho sun, and tho comet would bo in line. The comet would pass across the sun's face—a most unusual happening. This had never been' known to occur before. Doubt was expressed as to whether the comet would then be seen at. all. It would not bo visible unless it was sufficiently dense to intercept tiio sun's rays. Tlie passage of the comet across' tho sun's face, on May 19, would occupy exactly one hour— from i.52 p.m. to 2.52 p.m.-and, consequently, it would not bo visible in Europe. Comets, said Mr. Hudson, had never been known to detlect planets from' their courses. They themselves were considerably influenced by tho planets. In fact, Halley's Comet had been delayed in its course for some months because it had passed so close to Jupiter. Comets, although so enormous, were not thought to have any gravitation at all. A peculiarity about comets was that they always "held" their tails away from the sun, one of tho most difficult phenomena to explain, and any theory to be accepted must explain Why comets sometimes had more tails than one.

Interesting photograps of Halley's Comet (including one taken at the Meeaneo Observatory) were shown by means of lantern slides, and comparisons drawn between the coming comet and others that had been observed in the past, photographs of which were, also exhibited. Mr. Hudson showed on the screen a portrait Df Bailey, which was greeted with applause. Ha laid stress upon the fact that Hallcy was an Englishman, and that his life-work, with that of such men as Darwin, Newton, and Herbert Si>encer, ought to tie brought more prominently before young people. "We are not done with all the great raco," said Mr. Hudson, "and every boy should be taught these things, because he may become some day one of the world's great scientists."

The meeting accorded Mr. Hudson a hearty vote of thanks for his lecture.