Comets and Aerolites

“Comets and Aerolites,” from Reynolds’s Series of Astronomical Diagrams, by James Reynolds, 1847. An aerolite is a meteorite, specifically, a stony meteorite consisting of silicate materials.

The falling stars you see in a meteor shower are from the “dust trail” left by comets as they circle through the solar system.

Comets and Aerolites

Image from Stephen Ellcock’s FB page “The Celestial Archives: Pre-Space Age Images of the Heavens.”

Comet Lithographs, 1850s

“Comets.” One of nine wall hangings, all on astronomical themes, that were among many produced by the Working Men’s Educational Union in the 1850s. They were printed lithographically on cotton, probably to avoid paper duty. The hangings would have been used in lectures, held at various locations, to illustrate the latest advances in knowledge.

Comet Lithographs 1850s

From Stephen Ellcock’s FB page “The Celestial Archive: Pre-Space Age Images of the Heavens.”

Texas Star Party

A piece in the New York Times recently about the annual gathering of astronomy buffs in Fort Davis, Tx., for the 34th Texas Star Party:

Texas Star Party

About 500 astronomers, pro and amateur, have come from around the world to view the stars from this small, dark town. Fort Davis provides a light-pollution-free environment that’s surprisingly rare in the U.S. today.

The Great Comet of 1910

Another find from Stephen Ellcock, a series of French postcards published to commemorate the appearance of The Great Comet of 1910.

Great Comet of 1910

An odd narrative in the cards: The Earth, Moon, and Sun are anxiously watching the approach of the comet. At first they welcome the comet, but then the comet strikes the Earth, getting one of its points embedded near Alaska. The Moon and the Sun pull the comet free, and it sails off, crying blood tears, while the Earth recovers with a bandage.

Heavenly Images

Stephen Ellcock has pulled together some terrific “Pre-Space Age Images of the Heavens” on his Facebook page “The Celestial Archives.”

Here’s one I like:  “Donati’s Comet, October 8, 1858 at 8 o’clock at night.  From the walls of the Horse Gate.”  (Or something like that; my Czecho-Slovak’s pretty sketchy.)  Thanks, Mr. Ellcock.

Donati's Comet