THE COMET.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11642, 2 May 1901, Page 5

THE COMET.

SEEN BY MR. STEVENSON, F.R.A.S. With reference to the comet now visible in the west, .Mr. Stevenson, F.R.A.S.. reports' seeing it last night at 6 o'clock low down in the west-south-west horizon. It. has a brilliant head and spreading tail, but owing to its low altitude, telescoptic observations cannot be made at present. It will probably be more favourably placed for observations in the course of a few nights. The comet was seen by a number of persons' last night about six: o'clock, but shortly after the quarter of the heavens in which it was became obscured. STATEMENT BY A THAMES ASTRONOMER. [BY TELEGRAPHOWN CORRESPONDENT.] Thames, Wednesday. Regarding the three-tailed comet, of which so much hits been heard of late, Mr. J. Grigg, the well-known Thames astronomer, stales that so far he has been unable to locate it. He expresses the opinion that the comet, which was said to be approaching the sun, has continued with accelerated motion until at the present time the brilliancy of the. sun prevents the stranger being distinguished. Mr. Grigg will now look for the comet at sunset instead of sunrise, and if it continues its course it should be distinguished shortly after it has passed either behind or before "the sun. He questions the accuracy of the statement that the cometwas near the star Aldebaran, which conflicts with the reports received subsequently as to the relative positions of the comet and Aldebaran. VISIBLE IN WELLINGTON. [Hi' TELECBAPHi-- ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. The comet is now visible here in the west between half-past five and six o'clock in the evening. It lias evidently swept round the sun since Sunday, when it was seen in the east in the morning. Mr. G. V. Hudson, of Karori. Wellington, wrote on April 25 as follows: "I observed a large comet between twenty-five minutes past five and a-quarter to six o'clock this morning. I should estimate the apparent length of the tail, as seen by me, at about three lunar diameters, but there was a strong dawn at the time of _ the observation, which would hide tie fainter portions of the tail. The comet was low on the eastern horizon, and appeared closer to the sun than the planet Mercury, which was visible in the sky some distance above the comet. Stated very roughly, the position of the comet was about north, declination 4deg, and right ascension lhr 20mim The comet was very bright to the naked eve, even with a strong light which existed in the sky at the time of tho observation." PLAINLY VISIBLE AT NELSON. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Nelson, Wednesday. The comet was plainly visible here at six o'clock this evening.