COMET’S TAIL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 12 April 1927, Page 13

COMET’S TAIL.

MAY HIT EARTH IN JUNE. The Pons-AA’innecke comet, which caused a furore im 1921 because of its proximity to the earth, will make a coser visit next June, when it again will appear at a distance of 4,500)000 miles from the earth. This is the closest approach to the earth by a comet ever recorded. AA’hon the Pons-AA’innecke traveller ryas visible in 1921 many people feared for the appearance of the end of the earth on the. theory that the comet’s tail would wipe out life entirely. President Harvey B. Lemon, of the University of Chicago, announced todajr i after three years of research, he fipds traces of a deadly gas, in the tails of two comets, the Daniel’s and the Moorhouse, which made their appearance two decades ago. The Pons-AAUnnecke comet will come so close to the earth next June that the earth will pass through its tail, according to the announcements of astronomers. AA’hether carbon monoxide gas is present in the tail of the PonsAA’innecke comet is not known hut Professor Lemons says there is no danger. “'Do not worry.” said - Professor Lemon. “Even if the comet’s tail does come in contact with the earth there would be. no harmful results due- to the presence of a poisonous gas.”