* Astronomy

Irish astronomer John Birmingham discovered the recurrent nova T Coronae Borealis on the 12th May 1866

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Title: Remarks on certain Observations of T Coronæ, reputed to have been made by Mr. Baker, on May 4, 8, 9, and 10, 1866
Authors: Stone, E. J.

The interest excited by the late outburst of the variable T Corona is so great, and a knowledge of its brightness, previous to May 12, so important for a right understanding of that phenomenon, that I have thought it right to probe the reality of certain observations reputed to have been made by Mr. Barker! of London, Canada West, on May 4, 8, 9, and 10. In his letter, published in the Free Press, of May 16, Mr. Barker referred to his observations of May 14, but made no mention whatever of any observations made previously to that date. I mast confess, therefore, that I was much surprised to ind from Mr. Hind's letter to the Astr. Aach. 1601, that Mr. Barker afterwards claimed to have seen the variable with the naked eye as' early as May 4. The circumstances connected with the publication of the observations of May 4, 8, 9, and 10, were, to say the least, most anomalous. Mr. Barker's language, however, was so precise that I thought it best to write to him- for references to his earliest publication of the observations made previously to May 14.

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