BIELA'S COMET. The following ephemeris of this body is by M. Michez, of Padua: Nov. 1. The comet is very near a Pegasi, a star of mag. 1. Nov. 23. The comet is near p Pegasi, a star of mag. 5. ENCKE'S COMET. This comet was re-discovered by Mr. John Tebbutt, at Windsor, New South Wales, on June 24. We have not heard of its having been seen at any European observatory. Mr. Hind, however, sent an ephemeris for October to the Bulletin Meteorologique. We e may here remar, in passing, that it were much to be wished that our national establishments were more liberal in aiding amateurs with cometary ephemerides. Mr. Tebbutt describes the comet as very faint in his glass (a small one), and he appears to have observed it only on three nights, between June 24 and July 19. "HAVE YOU SEEN THE COMET IN THE MORNING?"-This question has been often asked lately, but we imagine that either the planet Venus or Saturn has been mistaken for this erratic visitor. following has appeared in one of the papers on the subject: A COMET, INDEED! Dear Mr. Editor,-I crave "Unlady-like," you say; but still I won't be called a comet. Just fancy what my feelings are, Yet, after all, you'll think it's pride That prompts me thus to trouble you. But if, for my sake, you'll insert These lines that pass between us, You will oblige, dear Editor, Yours, very truly, VENUS. The P.S.--I regret that the postal arrangements in this part of the universe would not admit of a prior communication. THE PLANETS FOR NOVEMBER. Mercury is not well situated for observation this month. It is in Libra at the beginning, and in Sagittarius at the end of November. Venus is in Virgo at the beginning, and Libra at the end of November. It may still be seen before sunrise, and passes the meridian shortly after 10 o'clock in the morning during the month. 1st R.A. 12 44 9 30th Diameter 11":4 10"-6 Dec. S. 2 57 Mars is in conjunction with the Sun on the 11th of this month. Jupiter is now scarcely to be seen, as it gets nearer to the Sun and continues at so low an altitude. Saturn passes from Virgo to Libra during November; it is still too near the Sun to be favourably observed. 30th, 14 22 35 Dimensions of ring-Outer major axis, 35"o; Outer minor axis, 11"'o. Uranus is now well fixed for observation from its great altitude. It remains in the constellation Gemini. Neptune is well fixed for observation in the evening. The following are the minor planets which will arrive at opposition this month. Full particulars will be found in the Supplement to the Nautical Almanac for 1868: INSTRUMENTS, &c. FOR SALE. These Notices, which are restricted to three lines each, are inserted free of charge to subscribers: applications respecting prices and other particulars to be made to the Editor, with a stamped envelope for reply, without which no answer can be sent.-For Advertisements with prices and more complete details, a small charge will be made. N.B.-It is particularly requested that we may be informed when instruments are disposed of, in order that the notice may be withdrawn, and fruitless applications prevented. Achromatic Refractor, 7 in. aperture, 9 ft. focus, by Troughton & Simms; 5 celestial and I terrestrial eye-pieces; on large garden Equatorial stand, with patent steadying rods, &c. [54] Equatoreal Telescope, 5 ft. focus, 4 in. aperture; powers 60, 340, and 450, on extra stout mahogany tripod stand, steadyingrods, levels, large finder, &c., complete. [18] Achromatic Refractor, 60 in. focus, 4 in. aperture, powers 60, 120, 200, and terrestrial eye-piece; by Goddard: on improved garden stand, with finder, &c., complete; price low. [60] Achromatic Refractor, 4 ft. focus, 27 in. aperture, 3 pancratic eye-pieces, powers 60 to 200, with pillar and claw and garden tripod stand.-Would be sold or exchanged for a larger. [ 61 ] Achromatic Refractor, 2 in. aperture, 42 in. focus, on tall tripod, with finder, 5 astronomical and 1 terrestrial eye-pieces, sunshades, illuminating mirror for transit wires, in mahogany case. [62] I [11] [29] Newtonian Reflector, 7 ft. focus, 7 in. aperture, 8 eye-pieces, powers from 30 to 360, Equatoreally mounted. Transit Instrument, 5 ft. focus, 3 in. aperture, Ys fitted with agates, for mounting on stone piers. Equatorial Stand, adapted for a 5 or 6 ft. telescope: 13 in. circles divided on silver, reading to 10" of space and 4s. of time.—Has never been used. [55] Improved Varley Stand, with rackwork movements, adapted for a telescope of 5 or 6 ft. focus: fixed upon a circular turn-table, so as to be easily pointed in any direction. [16] Polar Axis of mahogany, 7 ft. long, adapted for a 4 ft. telescope, with 12 in. circles, reading to minutes. [56]. Speculum Grinding Apparatus, capable of working a 7 ft. speculum with tube and fittings for a 9 in. Newtonian. [57] Brass Orrery, designed by and formerly the property of the late Dr. Pearson, and purchased by the present owner at his sale of instruments in 1853. Recreative Science: complete in numbers, half-price. [30] [59] |
