ANOTHER COMET SCARE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11056, 6 May 1899, Page 5 (Supplement)

ANOTHER COMET SCARE.

Comets of late years have been rather scarce, notably bright ones. As experts cannot predict when somo of these visitors mar put in an appearance, so at any time they may rush from the celestial regions upon the astonished vision of the inhabitants of this world. But while it cannot bo prognosticated at what precise period somo comets may ba visible, it seems that no less than six are due to appear during the present year. Five of these will require telescopes to obtain a sight of them. One, however, is a somewhat famous comet that takes better than 53 years to run its course. This must be the comet' alluded to in the following extract, headed, "The End of the World," which was lately published in the Christian World: — " It is not a very long time till the 13tl] of November next, when, according to the distinguished German astronomer, Falb, we stand in danger of being hurled off this world into the other by the comet Biclu in its transit across the earth's orbit. Professor Falb bases his assertions on scientific calculations, and other astronomers, questioned on the subject, do not deny the possibility of the encounter. The distinguished German, interviewed the other day by an Italian, explained the grounds for his melancholy prognostication. Speaking of the comets: —' We know for certain tie orbits of ten of these. But. of the six discovered in 1886, No. 1, wo believe, takes 33 years and some months to run the courso of its | own orbit. Wo know that this year, in the first half of November, it will cross the terrestrial orbit at the same point touched by the earth on the 13th of that month. If, then, the earth and the comet touch the same point at the same time, their collision would be our ruin. The earth touches every year, the 13th of November, a certain point in its course round the sun, and revolves there for 24 hours. Might it not there encounter Comet No. 1 of '86 coming its round after 33 years.' I do not say, and never have said, that the tiling is certain; but nobody can deny the possibility. Other times the earth was not in that, precise spot where it will be on the said day this year. It may happen that the earth and the comet will pass so close as almost to touch, and no harm will follow. The comet passes rapidly, but its long tail, composed of littlo falling stars and meteors, take months to cross the earth's orbit, without causing any danger to the inhabitants.' Let us comfort ourselves with the reflection that the shock may bring only a partial damage to that part of the globe struck by the wandering planet. If it plumped into the ocean, for instance, it would send a vast volume of water over the nearest lands which would exceed any earthquake or tidal wave as vet recorded in the history of our little globe. And it might settle for ever some vexed questions which torment the political world. If China, the Philippines, and Africa were wiped out there might bo a chance for the Peace Conference.