THE NEW COMETS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 30 March 1925, Page 4

THE NEW COMETS.

SEEN FROM HAAVERA

TWO ASTRONOMERS SUCCEED

At least two .Hawera astronomers were successful, over the iu picking up the two new comets reported from Copenhagen. Mr G. M. Townsend, of Argyle Street, saw one on Saturday night, and last evening picked out both, as did also Mr F. Gawith working independently. Both these gentlemen are members of the New Zealand Astronomical Society. Mr Gawith was using Mr P. O’Dea’s twelve-inch reflector; but Mr Townsend picked out the celestial strangers through his six-inch telescope. He reports that the cornet of the eleventh magnitude was distinct, but very faint, and this was picked up on Sunday. The eighth magnitude comet had just a suggestion of a tail. Both made a wonderful sight, the distance travelled by the latter being marked by the fapt that whereas on Saturday it formed a right-angled triangle with two stars above it, on, Sunday the three were in line. The sight of the comets on Sunday was most beautiful and interesting, and a Star representative who was privileged to be present was able to see both comets.

Mr Townsend gives the following details of position in the heavens: Eleventh magnitude, comet,, picked up Sunday, March 29, at 21 hours N.Z.M.T. (9 p.m.). Very faint. Position: Right ascension, 11 hours 36minl; declination, 2 degrees llmin. north. Eighth magnitude comet, picked up; Saturday, March 28, at 21 hours 30min., N.Z.M.T. (9.30 p.m.). Moderately bright. Position: Bight ascension, 13 hours 25min. 30sec.; declination, 21 deg. lOmin. south. Eighth magnitude comet, picked up again Sunday, March 29, at 3 9 hours 45min., N.Z.M.T. (7.45 p.m.). Quite a marked movement. Position: Right ascension, 13 hours 23min. 15sec.; declination, 21deg. 25min. south. It was about eight o’clock last evening when Mr Gawith picked up the two comets. The first to be seen was that of the eleventh magnitude, near the star Beta Virginis. Mr Gawith’s readings were:

Comet of eleventh magnitude: Right ascension, 11 hours 36min.; declination, 2deg. ISmin. north. Comet of eighth magnitude: Right ascension, 13 hours 26min.; declination, 21 deg. 30min. south. Tt, is interesting to note that Mr Gawith was the first observer iu New Zealand to pick up the Finsler comet last September*