REPORTS ON THE STATE OF SCIENCE. Report on Observations of Luminous Meteors, 1861-62. By a Committee, consisting of JAMES GLAISHER, F.R.S., F.R.A.S., Secretary to the British Meteorological Society, &c.; R. P. GREG, F.G.S. &c.; E. W. BRAYLEY, F.R.S. &c.; and A. HERSCHEL. THE Committee are indebted to Members of the Association and to other observers for a larger number of observations bearing upon individual meteors than has fallen to their lot to assemble during previous years. They may be counted as follows:-(A) Meteor 1, July 16th, eight accounts; (B) meteor 2, July 16th, thirteen accounts; (C) meteor, August 6th, three accounts; (D) meteor, November 12th, eight accounts; (E) meteor, November 19th, eleven accounts; (F) meteor, December 8th, twenty-eight accounts; (G) meteor, February 2nd, 1862, eleven accounts; (H) meteor, February 23rd, 1862, five accounts. Of the small shooting-stars, double observations only are found. The discussion of these observations follow the Catalogue in Appendix I. Eight accounts of one and thirteen of the second of the meteors visible on the evening of July 16th, 1861, show those of the Duke of Argyll and Mr. Frost to have been distinct meteors, succeeding each other with an interval of more than an hour. The accounts are embodied in the present Catalogue, and the results discussed in Appendix I. Of the meteor August 6th, a further account from excellent observers in London, has afforded a good determination; the accounts and their interpretation are presented in the Catalogue and Appendix I. Numerous accurate observations of shooting-stars of the 10th August, period 1861, too voluminous for separate insertion in the Catalogue, have been collected and examined for accordances, and the accordant observations only entered in the Catalogue, together with individual observations which appeared of particular interest from among the entire number; the results of the accordant observations are tabulated in Appendix I. 1862, B July 16 9 30 p.m. Weston-super-Large as Venus at Duller than 3 or 4 seconds; Exploded when W Mare. (Also max. seen in Dor setshire.) Venus at moving bril- slowly. liancy. max. altitude 45°. 16 9 58 p.m. Whitehall, Lon- Very large ball, but Very brilliant.. Slower than Began almost E not quite full. 16 Exactly 10 Gainford, Darl-Like Jupiter, seen in a good tele- shire. and disappeare behind the houses on th west side Whitehall. not From 10° below meteors move; "leisurely." Motion rapid. Aquila, throug the E. to N.E from altitude 3 to about altitu 20°. 16 Greenwich and Kensington. Already inserted, p. 10 of Report for 1861 White_train 8° in length?............ Appeared in the N.W... attended the nucleus. Burst into sparks which continued 3 seconds. advancing 10° before they disappeared. Carried a blunted or spread... tail 15 or 20 times longer than the head. Personal ac counts to W. II. Wood. ....Downwards at an angle Point of observation Charles Reed. Mrs. E. Addison. bortly before disappear- About 90°.. First horizontal, then exactly like sparks. of light behind it, but No sparks till just before it disappeared, when one [of Argyll. J. Howe; Duke John Borough. Majestic." Left a track?............ Came over from the Open bay-window faced Mrs. Davies. spark was cast off from right of the house, descending as a rocket in the form of an N.N.E. oman candle-ball. Phos-?............ Slightly declining; per- Point of observation H. H. Bemrose. haps curved down- upon the sands mid. |