OP A METEORIC FIRE-BALL. 
11 
the front cornice of a building in range with his office. lie sat facing east, and 
sprang to his feet when the meteor appeared, but is not sure whether he was sitting 
or standing when he first saw it. 
It was stated in a dispatch from this place to the Philadelphia Bulletin (I know 
not from what observer) that the meteor moved “ with immense velocity, with a 
pulsating motiontime said to be about 9h. 45m. P. M. 1 
Eden , New York, No. 164. Observed and position determined by the “card 
method,” by William Paxon. 
Edensville, New York, No. 19. Communicated by Bev. Edson Fcrrier, who says 
that an observer at that place saw the meteor pass just northeast of his zenith. 
Elizabeth , New Jersey, No. 39. Observed and position estimated by George 
Webb. 
Elhland , Pennsylvania, No. 61. Observed by Ilev. William H. Dean, who having 
remarked to me some time afterward that his impression of the path was very dis 
tinct, I adjusted the telescope of my theodolite to the azimuth N. 33° 39' E., and 
at my request he elevated it so as to correspond with his impression of the altitude. 
Ellicottsville , New York, Nos. 5, 77, 107, and 169. Observed by D. G. Bingham, 
who says that the meteor “rose N. 72J W. and set S. 72J E. (true);” that “it 
passed near Alioth, between the ‘guards’ of EYsa Minor, and about midway 
between Chi and Zeta, Ursa Minor,” and that it was visible 20 to 30 seconds. 1 2 
Elmira, New York, No. 185. Observed by Bev. T. K. Beecher, who says that 
the observations were taken “under unusual advantages, and with care;” and that 
“the meteor rose from 7° to 10° north of west;” 3 passed so near a Lyrte, then 
near the zenith—apparently within 2°—as to quench if not eclipse it.” “ When 
ascending within say 10° 4 of the culmination, the globe threw back two unequal 
fragments. One of them lingered and expired within 20 or 30 degrees. The 
other, being nearly or quite as large as the primary, fell into line with it, and the 
two disappeared below our horizon, like a chain shot. From the time of the 
apparent explosion I took note of time, by counting and pacing, between 90 and 
100 seconds.” 5 He says again: “The meteor attracted my attention by casting 
my shadow before me. Turning, I saw and watched it with care from (say) 15° or 
20° above the west horizon. My impression is that it was only 10° high when I 
first saw it.” * * * “I noted landmarks for rising and setting, and when the 
body was passed I took bearings from the north star, pacing off lines from east and 
west to make sure of my observations.” 
1 According to calculation, the time of first observation at this place was 9h. 42m. 6 sec., and of 
the last 9h. 43m. 16 sec.; duration lm. 10 sec. 
2 According to the calculated path, the western azimuth of the meteor was at no time so great as 
“ 72^°.” Probably it did not exceed 50° when first seen. 
3 According to the calculated path, the western azimuth of the meteor was at no time so great as 
stated in the text, and when its altitude was 10°, it was about 20° north of west. 
4 According to the calculated path, the altitude of the meteor at the time of the explosion was 
13° 14', or 16° 46' from the zenith. 
5 Ninety seconds from the time of the explosion would, according to calculation, carry the meteor 
to Long. 63°, which is 260 miles further east than it was seen by any other reliable observer.