Abstract
ON September 25, at 8h. 5m., I saw a bright first-magnitude meteor amongst the stars of Aquarius. It moved very slowly to the east, and, after a duration of about 13 seconds, disappeared at the point R.A. 11°, Decl. + 8°. Its place of first appearance was near R.A. 332°, Decl. 7½°, so that the length of its observed path was about 42°. The nucleus was followed by a thick train of sparks, and at the end it divided into two parts. This meteor was observed at Oxford by Mr. W. H. Robinson, of the Radcliffe Observatory. He writes:—“This evening a fine meteor was seen slowly moving between the constellations Aquarius and Pegasus, at 8h. 5½m. G. M.T. It was first seen at R.A. 330°, N.P.D. 88° disappearing near R.A. 352°, N.P.D. 82°; duration, 3 or 4 seconds.” A comparison of these observations shows that the radiant point was probably in R.A. 244°, Decl. 22°, and that the meteor, when first seen, was at a height of 46 miles over a point in the English Channel 20 miles south of the Isle of Wight. It disappeared near Staplehurst, in Kent, at the same height. Length of path, 100 miles. At Oxford, the early part of the meteor's flight was not seen. The Bristol observer watched the meteor through 91 miles of its course, and the duration of 13 seconds would give a velocity of 7 miles per second. At Oxford, 35 miles of the terminal section of the flight was seen in 3 or 4 seconds, which gives a velocity of 10 miles per second.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
DENNING, W. Fine Slow-moving Meteor. Nature 40, 594 (1889). https://doi.org/10.1038/040594b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/040594b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.