PONS-WINNECKE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15466, 10 March 1921, Page 9

PONS-WINNECKE.

COMET’S TRAIT, OK MILLIONS OF I METEORS. ' LONDON, ( Jan.' 17.—Dr. Crommelin, the astronomer of the Royal Obser\atory, Greenwich, informs the Daily Mail that, rwhen the cylnct known as Pons-Winneeke makes its expected appearance some time in June there is only—the very slightest chance of its colliding with the earth, and instead of causing a catastrophe, as has been suggested in some quarters, it may ■ pass by altogether: unnoticed. | , .“Instead of being alarmed,” said Dr. Crommelin, “I think astronomers would welcome a collision to see .what comets ■are really made of.” . | Pons-Winnecke, a comet first named In i 1819, becomes visible from the garth every 5$ years,-and Dr. Crommelin has i estimated that it will be very near, us about June 15. If it passes in the daytime it may. qpt be noticed at all. “There is just the possibility, that it will cross ■ the - orbit of the earth during t-he three weeks it-will be near us,” said Dr. 'Crommelin,,, “hut The . chances are less tlgm 1. iiV 1000. There may he a great display of .meteors'.When ~ the comet draws near, because Pons-Win - necke, though not having what is commonly known: as a ‘tail.’ lias a trail of meteors .500 or GGO million miles long. The comet itself .travels at the rnie of 24 miles a .second when near the earth.”