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16 
ON THE ORBIT AND PHENOMENA 
then a little above Mars, and disappeared on the horizon in the southeast, as it 
seemed, nearly opposite to where it arose, thus describing a great circle. Its dura 
tion I estimated at 15 or 20 seconds, 1 and the time was 9h. 44m. (mean time). 
When arrived in a southwest azimuth, it exploded like a bomb-shell, scattering 
about several pieces with white and blue colors. This explosion, however, did not 
seem to disturb the principal mass, which proceeded in its course, now followed 
closely by two or three smaller pieces as a train.” In another letter he adds: “The 
distance the meteor passed above Mars was certainly less than 11°, and that above 
yj Ophiuci still less, since this latter seemed almost covered by the spray.” 
Hanover , New Hampshire, No. 206. Observer’s name not ascertained. “ Through 
out its passage from W. to S. 70° E. it presented nearly a uniform distance of 20° 
above the horizon.” Time of passage at least one minute.” 1 2 
Harrisburg , Pennsyslvania, No. 231. Observed by Cromwell F. Yarley, who 
says of the meteor: “ By Baltimore (or Relay) time it was 9h. 38m. P. M.” “ When 
I first caught sight of it, it was about as far to the north of a Aquilae, or rather a 
line from the zenith passing through that star, as that line was from the planet 
Mars. Its elevation above the horizon, at that time, was about as much as that of 
Mars, or 1° lower. Its course was toward Mars, and if continued would have 
passed about 5° or 10° below that planet.” But he says that the view was 
obstructed before the meteor reached the azimuth of Mars. 
Another observer says it passed “ a few minutes before 10 o’clock.” 3 
Hartford , Connecticut, Nos. 112(a) and 156. Observed by Mr. Mason, a gar 
dener, and communicated by Prof. Brocklesby, of Trinity College, who writes: “Not 
more than a minute before the appearance of the meteor, Mr. Mason looked at his 
watch, and found it was a quarter to ten. The place of the appearance of the 
meteor he fixed by the bough of a tree, and the point of disappearance also by a 
tree, and he marked the place where he stood. I have taken the bearings and 
altitudes of the places of appearance and disappearance with a theodolite, and find 
them to be as follows — 
Place of appearance N. 64° W. Altitude 8° 30' 
Place of disappearance S. 48° E. Altitude 1° 10' 
Mr. Mason is sure as to the place of appearance, but has a trifle less confidence 
as to the place of disappearance.” 4 
1 According to calculation, it occupied 20 seconds in passing from the azimuth of a Yirginis to 
that of Mars, reaching the latter at 9h. 42m. 18 sec.; but did not descend to the horizon at all. 
The calculated azimuth at the time of the first explosion is S. 53° 25' W. 
3 According to the calculated path, its apparent motion was nearly parallel to the horizon, the 
altitude not varying more than 2° for a full half minute before it passed the meridian ; but this 
altitude instead of being 20° was only 9° to 11°. If seen due west, its altitude was only 4° 44', and 
it could at no time have been seen so far east as is stated in the text. 
3 By calculation, the meteor passed the meridian of Harrisburg at 9h. 36m. 56 sec. by Relay time. 
The different parts of the description do not seem to harmonize, as the eastern azimuth of a Aquilse, 
at that time, considerably exceeded that of Mars. 
* It is presumed that the bearings here given were magnetic, and if we add 6^° for the variation 
of the needle, they become N. T0^° W. and S. 54^° E. Both of these observations would be better