[Letters to Editor]

Abstract

WHILE travelling last night, at about twenty minutes to nine o'clock, as we were descending a tolerably high hill, about 5 miles from this city, our road, leading S.S.W., I found myself very favourably circumstanced for seeing a beautiful meteor which was visible for probably forty seconds. It appeared first as if approaching from the W.S.W. about 40° or 50° above the horizon, unusually large and bright, and leaving a long train of bright spots behind. After a few seconds it seemed extinguished, but in a moment or two flashed out again still brighter, apparently passing due E., at a height of about 25° or 30°, through Eridanus, Lepus, Canis Major, and Argo, and much slower than at first. While passing under Orion two protuberances burst out, giving it the appearance of an arrowhead, or rather a bird flying, as it appeared to have a tail which at the end was a fine smoke colour: it now occupied the space of 11/2deg; or 2°. Passing behind a cloud below Regulus it disappeared.