In the larger comets we may distinguish both
the so-called "head" or "nucleus," and the single or multiple tail, which is
characteristically denominated by the Chinese astronomers "the brush"
('sui'). The nucleus generally presents no definite outline, although, in a
few rare cases, it appears like a star of the first or second magnitude, and
has even been seen in bright sunshine;* as,
p 101
for instance, in the large comets of 1402, 1532, 1577, 1744, and 1843.
[footnote] *Arago, 'Annuaire', 1832, p. 209, 211. The phenomenon of the
tail of a comet being visible in bright sunshine, which is recorded of the
comet of 1402, occurred again in the case of the large comet of 1843, whose
nucleus and tail were seen in North America on the 28th of February
(according to the testimony of J. G. Clarke, of Portland, state of Maine),
between 1 and 3 o'clock in the afternoon.(a) The distance of the very dense
nucleus from the sun's light admitted of being measured with much exactness.
The nucleus and tail appeared like a very pure white cloud, a darker space
intervening between the tail and the nucleus. ('Amer. Journ. of Science',
vol. xiv., No. 1, p. 229.)
[footnote] (a) [The translator was at New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S., on
the 28th February, 1843, and distinctly saw the comet, between 1 and 2 in
the afternoon.
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