Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 March 1910 — THE COMET HUNTER. [ARTICLE]

THE COMET HUNTER.

Vila Emotions When Re FHnda a Mn Wanderer In Space. The process of comet hunting is perhaps the most fascinating branch of practical astrohomy.Tf tlere Btilllives among us moderns one bnly survivor of the traditional astronomer, one patient, expectant lover of the skies, seek him among the comet -hunters, for to-day, as of old, you will find him perched oh some tower scanning the heavens from dusk to dawn, sleepless, almost hopeless of success, yet ever supported by the thought that perhaps he, too, may add his chapter to the ktory celestial. Let us follow him at pis work. Suddenly he sights a faint patch of hazy light, is for an instant uncertain, yet trusts that his eye deceives him not. Another minute and a larger telescope has made him sure. It is there. He hurries to his library and consults Herschel’s catalogue of known nebulae. He finds the place In the book; down the page runs his eager finger. There is nothing recorded at that exact spot on*the sky. It must be a colnet. Yet even Herschel’s careful scrutiny was not so very Infrequently at fault. As yet there is no certainty. He mußt apply the final test. The larger telescope is now brought Into play. If this is truly a comet it must be following some appointed orbit in space. It must be changing its position with reference to the stars. Probably half an hour will Berve to settle the question to an experienced eye. The minutes pass. ' Is there motion or is there not? He thinks there Is. Now he is almost surf, there is. Yes. No man could remain impassive, pis pipe goes out; he forgets to smoke. Another quarter hour makes assurance Sdoubly sure. Success is his. , But now he is seized with a new fear. Ib he the first or has Borne other anticipated the discovery? There is another tireless comet hunter who (lives in Vienna. Perhaps even now {word is on the telegraphie cables.

There Is meed of haste. Thf astronomer runs to the telephone, calls long distance and asks foV the Harvard college observatory, which la the central distributing station for announcing new discoveries. They tell him calmly that they have heard nothing; that the discovery will be at once verified and made known -by cable and telegram in every observatory throughout the world before morning. Our astronomer goes to shut up hlB telescopes. fie will work no more tonight, but he sways a little as he crosses the room.—Prof. Harold Jacoby In Harper’s Weekly.