The Great Comet of 1861

Abstract

THE following observation may interest your readers. It is taken from a volume entitled, “The Industrial Progress of New South Wales,” published by authority of the Colonial Government. Under the head of Astronomical Progress is a paper by Mr. Tebbutt, in which, he says that, while observing in Australia on the morning of July 1, 1861 (i. e., really, in the afternoon before sunset of our June 30), he noticed the widening out of the branches of the tail of the comet then visible. He remarks that this observation is very interesting when taken in connection with the announcement made by Mr. Hind, that “it appears not only possible, but even probable, that in the course of June 30, 1861, the earth passed through the tail of the comet, at a distance of perhaps two thirds of its length from the nucleus.”