Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 December 1883 — The Tails of Comets. [ARTICLE]

The Tails of Comets.

The spectroscope has furnished us with the only evidence as to the material of which the tails of comets are composed. Several, which from their- remarkable development have deserved to be noted as great comets, have had multiplied tails, or streams flowing from the same head, but separating so as often to be distinguished by the unaided eye. These were supposed to be formed of different chemical elements, and the spectroscope has shown that such is actually the case. Thus when the comet has an abundant supply of hydrogen the finest of tails are produced; others are formed of carbon, chlorine, or even of iron as principal ingredients. Philadelphia Times.