N.Z. DISCOVERS COMET

Grey River Argus, 9 April 1941, Page 6

N.Z. DISCOVERS COMET

FROM “SOUTHERN STARS” (Journal of the N.Z. Astronomical Society) In recent years, whenever we read in the newspapers that someone had discovered a comet, it usually meant that an astronomical enthusiast had been sitting up late one night with his telescope and by chance had seen a! small hazy patch of light in some region of the sky. Occasionally “fol-low-up” references may have been made in the newspapers that the comet was here, there, or somewhere else, but as. far as the “man in the street” was concerned he could make neither head nor tail of it. He couldn’t see the thing, anyway, and if he did go to an observatory, the little patch of light he was shown looked mysterious enough, but there was nothing which caused him to hold his breath. To be polite, he would probably give appreciative grunts to satisfy the astronomer who had gone to the trouble of showing him the thing. Although, as astronomers, we do have an interest in such dull-looking objects, we, in common with our “man in the street,” always have in the back of our minds the possibility of a “really good comet” coming along—something we can look at and feel that the look has been worthwhile. Of course, old inhabitants generally get to work and tell us all about Halley’s Comet. Apparently that sight will do them for the rest of their lives. Yet there are those who want to see more. One local astronomical society, when things are going a bit slow, generally wakes up those present by someone saying: “It’s a long time since we had a good comet, isn’t it?” . In the latter part of 1940, information was received via various astronomical journals that a comet was visible in the northern hemisphere, and wjas slowly drifting to us "down under.” Information, as _ up-to-date as possible, was published in the January issue of “Southern Stars,’ for Comet Cunningham. The reader will remember that the note pointed out the difficulty of deciding just where the comet would be after the middle of January; but we know it was coming. Of course, everybody did not know this, and to show the eagerness with which this little journal is read, at least one member confessed to not knowing that we had mentioned Comet Cunningham until very late in the story. The two ephemerides, as published, Showed from a' general inspection the possibility of a divergence in right ascension of at least one hour. Scouring the skies was all that could be done, and if it was as bright as the Americans suggested it would be, there would not be much difficulty in picking it up. Theoretically, this, is very good, but the weather was not helpful, and only spasmodic bits of sky were seen about the due date. Then, over various parts of New Zealand, breaks in the clouds appeared, and, speaking in general terms, the whole country saw a comet. It was a good comet with a head and a' tail, and so easily seen that anyone glancing round the sky could not miss it. To be the first to see the comet was almost as good as winning a lottery ticket, and probably we shall never be quite sure who was the person. In deciding who shall have the official honour, certain obvious principles have to be followed. The report should be sent to the nearest recognised astronomer or observatory as soon as possible, giving the position and time of observation. Generally, the first report so received will determine the discoverer. Any reports received later must show by the date of the letter, postmark and the accurate position given, that they were truly the discoverers and that delays in postal services or other reasonable explanations were the cause of lateness of receipt. After the appearance of a' comet has been made public in the press or otherwise, no claim can be considered at all, except under very exceptional circumstances. Although such a claim might be quite honest, unless a definite policy is adopted the way is left open for bogus claims.

The Director of the Carter Observatory has investigated all the reports personally, and the fortunate man who was the first to see the comet in New Zealand was Mr R. A. Mclntosh, F.R.A.S., of Auckland, Director of the Meteor Section. There were many other people who also made independent discoveries—discoveries as equally meritorious as that of Mr Mclntosh —but they were just a bit unfortunate in being a bit late. Nevertheless, these people have had the rare privilege of knowing what it feels like to discover something unexpected in the sky. The following list gives the first nine independent discoverers, with the times in G.M.T.— 1. R. A. Mclntosh, Auckland, January 24, 14h. 30m. 2. R. B. Newport, Nelson, January 25, llh. 35m. 3. K. D. Adams, Dunedin, January 25, llh. 55m. 4. L. G. Kelly, Ohakune, January I 25, 12h. 00m. 5. N. R. Dickie, Gore January 25, 13h. 30m. 6. W. Knight, Paraparaumu, January 25, 14h. 00m. 7. Dr. Corban Hokitika, J'anuarv 25. 15h. 8. Mrs J. Lindsay, Wellington, January 25, 15h. 45m. 9. C. H. Jones, Palmerston North, J'anuary 25, 15h. 50m. After the appearance of the comet had been made public, many claims were received at the Carter Observatory for priority over Mr Mclntosh, |

and although some of them may have ; been genuine, in view of . the policy | outlined above, they cannot be con-i sidered for one moment. j When Mr Mclntosh’s telegram was i first received at the Cartel’ Observa-1 tory, it was at first thought that it ( might be Comet Cunningham. It will I be remembered that there was some doubt as to just where this particular comet might be, and moreover it was expected to put in some kind of an appearance about this time. In his i letter following the telegram, Mr McIntosh gave his reasons for consider-

. ing this to be an unheralded visitor, j and subsequently he was proved to be correct.