“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.
Image from Stephen Ellcock’s FB page “The Celestial Archives: Pre-Space Age Images of the Heavens.”
“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.
From Stephen Ellcock’s FB page “The Celestial Archive: Pre-Space Age Images of the Heavens.”
Maria Clara Eimmart (1676-1707). Phase of the Moon, Phases of Venus, Aspects of Jupiter, Aspects of Saturn, late 17th century.
Our Moon tonight, by the way, is a waxing crescent.
From Stephen Ellcock’s “The Celestial Archive: Pre-Space Age Images of the Heavens.”
If you haven’t seen this yet, it’s worth a view. Astronaut Chris Hadfield posted this video of him singing David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” aboard the International Space Station. It’s well done, and surprisingly touching.
Plans are afloat to launch a giant balloon into the atmosphere to study Comet ISON as it sweeps around the Sun this fall. The Balloon Rapid Response for ISON (BRRISON) will carry a gondola of instruments up into near space to take photos and measurements of the comet, which scientists are calling the “Comet of the Century.”
Brr-ISON!
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:
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.
Another find from Stephen Ellcock, a series of French postcards published to commemorate the appearance of The 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.
Another great comet image from Stephen Ellcock. This is The Great Comet of 1843, famous for its extraordinarily long tail–the longest that had ever been observed on a comet. Painting by astronomer Charles Piazzi Smith.
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.
Came across this a while I was researching comets and such last year, “George Bishop’s Observatory.” I especially like that sled-like recliner on rails, for watching the stars. That’s exactly what I would want for my observatory:
Here’s the Wikipedia entry on George Bishop’s Observatory, in case you’re curious:
George Bishop’s Observatory was an astronomical observatory erected in 1836 by the astronomer George Bishop near his residence at the South Villa of Regent’s Park, London. It was equipped with a 7-inch (180 mm) Dollond refractor. It is assigned number 969 in the International Astronomical Union’s list of observatories.
The Reverend William Rutter Dawes conducted his noted investigations of double stars at the observatory from 1839 to 1844; John Russell Hind began his career there in October of the following year. From the time that Karl Ludwig Hencke’s detection of Astræa, 8 Dec. 1845, showed a prospect of success in the search for new planets, the resources of Bishop’s observatory were turned in that direction, and with conspicuous results. Between 1847 and 1854 Hind discovered ten small planets at the observatory, and Albert Marth one. Other notable astronomers to use the observatory included Eduard Vogel, Charles George Talmage, and Norman Robert Pogson.
The observatory closed when Bishop died in 1861, and in 1863 the instruments and dome were moved to the residence of George Bishop, junior, at Meadowbank, Twickenham, where a new observatory was constructed to follow the same system of work. Twickenham Observatory closed in 1877 and the instruments were given to the Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte in Italy.Regent’s College London now stands on the site of the observatory.
And here’s this from the Wikipedia entry on George Bishop, Astronomer:
In 1836 Bishop was able to realise a long-held intention by erecting an astronomical observatory near his residence at the South Villa of Regent’s Park, on which he spared no expense in order to ensure that it would be of practical use. “I am determined,” he said when choosing its site, “that this observatory shall do something.”
A testimonial was awarded to Bishop by the Royal Astronomical Society in 1848 “for the foundation of an observatory leading to various astronomical discoveries” and presented to him with a warmly commendatory address by Sir John Herschel. . . .
After a long period of physical but not mental illness, Bishop died on 14 June 1861 at the age of 76.
I like his quote, so much so that I’ll repeat it here:
“I am determined,” he said when choosing its site, “that this observatory shall do something.”