OF A METEORIC FIRE-BALL. 
9 
house at an elevation of 7°; and approaching the earth more quickly in the east, 
it formed a curve. It was in sight 19 seconds.” Another account says, “It appeared 
a little above the north star, and to the west of it.” Another observer still, says 
that he saw it in the direction of the north star, and that it had a “ plunging or 
ricochet motion.” 1 
Dobb’s Ferry , New York, Lat. 41° 3', Long. 73° 53'. The post-master at this 
place says that the time was 9h. 46m. “ precisely,” and that the meteor was in sight 
about one and a half minutes. 1 2 
Eagle Station , Pennsylvania, Nos. 187 and 201. Observed by H. B. Hoff. 
Appeared 9h. 42m. in the N. N. W., and disappeared at 9h. 45m. 30 sec.; exploded 
at an altitude of 15 to 20°; greatest altitude 40°; moved faster at some times than 
at others; path horizontal, but at times slightly undulating. 3 
East Fairfield, Ohio, Nos. 55 and 119. Communicated by S. B. McMillan, 
who assisted in measuring the altitudes “ with a quadrant.” He says: “ There was 
no fixed object between the observer and the meteor, the nearest being a lightning 
rod the point of which was a few degrees below its path,” which assisted so greatly 
in the determination of the position that he thinks it varies little from accuracy. 
Easton , Pennsylvania, Nos. 60, 76, 80, 85, 92, 111, 126, 132, 140, 150, 190, 192, 
194, 198, 200, and 215. Observations to determine positions of the meteor were 
greatly facilitated here by the prevalent custom of our people, to sit at the front 
doors of their houses in summer evenings; and also by the fact that the altitude 
of the meteor, as seen from the south side of streets running east and west, varied 
but little from that of the tops of the houses on the north side, so that it was alter 
nately concealed by the higher houses, and then came into view again over the 
lower ones. The measurements of altitude and azimuth were all made by the 
author with a theodolite, each observer taking the position that he occupied when 
he saw the meteor, and pointing out its place with reference to some fixed object. 
No. 60 was observed by Dr. C. C. Jennings, who saw the meteor over the vertex 
of a roof, between two chimneys. It would have been invisible at this azimuth 
from the place of observation if its altitude had been less than 19°. 
No. 76 was observed by a lady who was sitting on her door-step, facing north, 
as the meteor burst into view, apparently in range of the cornice at the northeast 
corner of a three story brick house on the opposite side of the street, so that her 
first exclamation was that the house was on fire. It was found, however, both by 
observation in the daytime, and by going upon the roof and suspending a lantern 
1 The last two accounts were communicated by Rev. George Duffield, D. D., he having taken them 
from the Detroit Free Press of July 22, 1860. According to calculation, the meteor occupied “ 19 
seconds” in passing from N. 30° W. to about N. 56|° E., and did not reach a due east azimuth 
till about 27 seconds later; also the time of its first appearance was 9h. 11m. 3 sec. 
3 Time of meridian passage by calculation 9h. 48m. 25 sec. 
3 According to calculation, it appeared in the N. N. W. at 9h. 42m. 6 sec., and if it disappeared at a 
due east azimuth, as it did at Rockund, one mile distant, the calculated time of its disappearance is 
9h. 42m. 43 sec., making the time of passage only 37 seconds instead of 3^ minutes. The calculated 
altitude at the time of the first explosion is 16° 48'. 
2 February, 1869.