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The comets of February, 1880 and January, 1887

Biggs, Alfred Barrett 1887 , 'The comets of February, 1880 and January, 1887' , Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania , pp. 38-39 .

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Abstract

Notwithstanding the apparent contradiction, the circumstance
which rendered the late Comet especially disappointing
and tantalising to observers, as well as detracting from the
general interest which is usually taken in these casual
visitors, may be considered, from one point of view, as
investing it with peculiar interest. I refer to its headless
character. In this respect it is, so far as I am aware, almost,
if not quite unique. I can account for only two others that
can at all compare with it, namely, Tuttle's Comet of 1790,
and that which bothered us so in 1880. Tuttle's Comet,
however, which is described as "a confused nebulosity,
without indications of a nucleus," was presumably of moderate
dimensions, whose position was measurable ; whilst that of
1880 furnished some questionable indications of a head from
which approximate positions were obtained, although, so far as
I am aware, nothing certain in this respect was obtained by
any one. Includes chart of commets 1880 and 1887

Item Type: Article
Authors/Creators:Biggs, Alfred Barrett
Keywords: Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title: Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections: Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:

In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.

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