Abstract
THE GREAT COMET OF 1881.—The observations of this body in both hemispheres from its discovery on May 22 by Mr. Tebbutt at Windsor, N. S.W., to the end of last month, are closely represented by a parabolic orbit. The intensity of light is now rapidly going off, and if any decided deviation from the parabola is established it can only be through the later observations in these latitudes. It is therefore important for the theory of the comet that the larger instruments in our observatories should be brought to bear upon the accurate determinations of position, and that this should be continued as long as practicable. The following ephemeris for Greenwich midnight is calculated from elements, which are likely to give the comet's places pretty closely:—
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Our Astronomical Column . Nature 24, 375 (1881). https://doi.org/10.1038/024375a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/024375a0