“The Comet”
Date
2-29-1812
Newspaper
Louisiana Gazette
Page and Column
Page 3, Column 1
Newspaper Location
New Orleans, Louisiana
Serial Number
924
Abstract
Short article on the comet of 1811. Notes astronomical information on its location.
Transcript
THE COMET. This celestial visitant will cease to have declination about the first of January, with a mean motion of 35 minutes, mostly in right ascension, which is computed may be at the time above stated 311 degrees. It will exchange latitude in February, 328 degrees longitude, at which time it will be invisible to most eyes. The diameter of its orbit as 2 to 9, and its period computed to be 249years. The plane of this comets orbit does not equally divide the concave sphere of the Heavens, the devexity of the conjugate diameter being toward the elevated pole, which is the least considerable part.-The orbit of this comet cannot be [unreadable] agreeably to problem 52, page 328 (Adams' Astronomical Essays,) but in the following manner, viz. Find three or more places of the comet among the signs at same distance from each other-bring the most North, then place a lead pencil in contract with the meridian, horizon, and place of the comet; this being done turn the Globe on its axis, at the same time advancing the pencil along the plane of the horizon from the first place of the comet observed, to the several in succession till you come to its greatest declination South, then return again the North with same motion of the globe but a backward one of the pencil, till you come to the place departed from. Then the orbit of the comet will be delineated through the several constellations, it will pass round the Sun.
Recommended Citation
"“The Comet”" (1812). New Madrid Compendium Far-Field Database. 898.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/cas-ceri-new-madrid-compendium/898
