Notes of spectroscopic observations of comet “pons," 27th January to 2nd February, 1884

Abstract

The spectroscope used was a small direct- vision compound prism by Browning, the telescope being a refractor of 3-inch aperture. After some difficulty in getting the object focussed upon the slit of the spectroscope there flashed out three bright bands. They appeared somewhat pyramidal in form, the base being on the south side of the telescopic image. The relative spaces between them I judged to be about as 2 to 3. I could uot distinguish any difference, or even any trace, of colour ; they appeared rather to resemble a phosphorescent glow. I had not the means, at the time, of determining their relative positions in the spectrum. On subsequent evenings, however, I took every precaution for determining this point.