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 Mare. (Also max. Venus than 3 or 4 seconds; Exploded when W.; altitude 45°. at moving bril- slowly. 16 9 58 p.m. Whitehall, Lon-Very large ball, but Very brilliant.. Slower than Began almost E., don. not quite full. meteors usually move; "leisurely." Motion rapid. and disappeared behind the houses on the west side of Whitehall. not From 10° below Aquila, through the E. to N.E.: from altitude 30° to about altitude 20°. 16 Greenwich and Kensington. Already inserted, p. 10 of Report for 1861 16 Soon after Derby 10 p.m. |