THE GOMET.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4771, 24 January 1887, Page 2

THE GOMET.

This illustrious stranger was again visiI ble on Saturday night, but, owing to the heavy banks of cloud in the S. W., the nucleus was not visible. In appearance the comet resembles ono known as the great Southern Comet of February, 1880, the nucleus of which was nob visible further north than Stewart's Island. lb is probable that this comet is visible throughout the entire night, as, at 11 o'clock on Saturday night, tho tail was fully 20 degrees above the horizon. The appearance of the tail at 8.30 o'clock was that of what is known as a beam comet, extended upwards for about 40 degrees. " Country " writes : — Porhaps some of your astronomically-wise readers would be kind enough to explain why the present comet, if ifc be a comet, contrary to the habits of its predecessors, apparently partakes in the motion of tho earth, or in other words, does not set. Instead it gets gradually fainter, without any appreciable difference in its height above the horizon, until, shortly after nine o'clock, it ia lost to view. If, owing to the excessive and prolonged heat, or other causes, a large field of ice had drifted farther north than usual this summer, aud was 35 degrees to the west of New Zealand, would not tho reflection upon it of tho setting sun produce such an appearance as that now visible in the south western sky ?