OF A METEORIC FIRE-BALL. 
3 
during all this time, was surrounded by a faint oblong luminosity, which extended 
itself somewhat between the two, and thus caused the compound meteor greatly to 
resemble a dumb-bell. 
“ On its first appearance, or emergence from the cloud, it was devoid of a train; 
but after its separation, as above described, a luminous haze was observed to shoot 
out behind it, which, as the meteor proceeded on its course, gradually extended 
itself, until it had attained a length of 2°. From, the extremity of this tail sparks 
were occasionally dropped. 
“ As the meteor advanced to the east, the hindmost ball was gradually consumed, 
and the foremost continually grew dimmer, until, at an altitude of 5°, the entire 
body faded from view.” “ As respects its azimuth at the moment of disappearance, 
reliable observers differ considerably. Thus, one of our students, who made his 
observations with especial reference to the determination of this point, reports 
55J°E., while my friend A. Jamieson, Esq., from whose country seat the meteor' 
was carefully observed, designates a point which I find by instrumental measure 
ment to have an eastern azimuth of 82°. 1 
“ The entire time this wonderful body was in view has been, beyond question, 
greatly overrated, very few persons being able, without the aid of a time-piece, to 
estimate correctly the lapse of a minute. On this point, therefore, I have made a 
series of experiments with several who witnessed the entire passage of the meteor, 
and am satisfied it was not in view more than 30 seconds, if, indeed, so long. We 
noted carefully the time of its disappearance, viz.: 9h. 38m. P.M.” 1 2 
Amherst , Massachusetts, Nos. 101 and 154. These observations were made by 
Prof. H. S. Kelsey, who says: “ The meteor appeared in the N.W., and disap 
peared almost precisely in the S.E. At its highest point it was 16° above the 
horizon. Diameter of the largest part, 20'. In sight from 60 to 75 seconds. Its 
path seemed to me to be a straight line, or very nearly so. I did not see it till it 
had divided. It was in four parts.” “ When I lost sight of it, it was about 2° 
above the horizon.” 3 
Avon , Ohio, Lat. 4Í 0 27', Lon. 82° 4'. Observed by Rev. L. F. Ward, and 
records made at the time, which were subsequently lost. At the request of the 
writer, however, he was so kind as to go with a theodolite to the place from which 
he observed it, and take the estimated bearings and altitudes. But it must have 
been a different meteor that he saw, as it passed south of him. 
Baldioinsville, New York, No. 16. Observed by John Bowman, who says: “I 
had an excellent opportunity to get its altitude from a tree in my yard, where it 
1 The discrepancy is satisfactorily explained in a subsequent note from Mr. Hallowell, in which he 
states the latter observation was made from “ a very elevated point,” while the former was made 
from the shore of the Potomac. 
2 The calculations give for the interval between the first and last observations, 37 seconds; and for 
the time of disappearance, 9h. 35m. 45s. P.M. 
3 According to the calculated path, the altitude of the meteor when due southeast, was 6° 44', 
and the time from the first explosion, 54 seconds. The observation can be better satisfied in both 
particulars by supposing the azimuth to have been about S. 53° E. ; for then the calculated altitude 
would be about 3°, and the time from the first explosion about 80 seconds.