THE COMET

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 99, 26 April 1917, Page 8

THE COMET

A GOOD VD3W OBTAINED.

A 6plendid view of the comet announced rocently by Dr. C. M. Hector, of the Wellington Philosophical Sociely,, was obtained at the Kelburn Observatory this morning by members of the astronomical section, and further • observations were made. The sky was clear, but slightly hazy towards the east. The comet was first observed at 4.32 a.m., just over the horizon. The tail was apparently longer than that previously observed; due to the fact that dawn had not then broken. '• It was fully 12 degrees in length, or about three times the distance between the pointers of the Southern Cross. Its move was more. p~ronounced towards the nucleus, which itself showed a distinct diminution of brightness. This is probably due to the comet receding from the sun,'but may have been due to haziness. / The comet itself was' lost sight of by the naked eye at about 5.20 a.m., ■ although it could be followed by the telescope a little longt-r. The right ascension of the comet was observed this morning by Mr. G. V. Hudson, of Wellington, tojbe Odeg 56min and its declination Sdeg 20min South. Thus since first observed its south declination has increased 4deg smin, and its right ascension 14min. These positions agree- with those found at the Kelburn Observatory, and also with observations by Mr. Ward, of Wanganui, and Mr. Morley, of Neison. An unsuccessful attempt was also made this morning to find Wolfe's Comet, which has been mistaken for the one now visible. Its declination is approximately lldeg 29min North, and its- right ascension 20hr 55sec. It rises at about midnight, and has been observed at Wanganui by Mr. Ward with a 9£in telescope. It is probably too faint for smaller tele-, scopes. Oh Sunday-morning the jcomet was seen indistinctly through clouds, but some observations were taken at Kelburn. People wsio rose early, however, had an opportunity of seeing another phenomenon, known as " Zodiacal light," which has been mistaken .by several for the comet's tail. On Monday morning a bank of clouds obscured the comet, but an even better view of fho Zodiacal light was obtained. There were six distinct bands of light extending across the sky from the west.

At the present time there aire several fine:-groups, of,.spots on the sun. These: could be seen by projecting the sun through opera, glasses on to a sheet of; white paper. Observers should be warned that it is dangerous to look directly at the sun through any glass without some protection. *. ;