* Astronomy

The Meteor of August 11, 1878
By Professor Daniel Kirkwood.

1. Observations at Bloomington, Ind. - A few minutes after 10 o'clock* on Sunday evening, Aug. 11, 1878, Rev. John A. Bower of Bloomington, Ind., saw a brilliant meteor near the eastern horizon. Mr. B. had just taken a position facing an open eastern window. The meteor became visible very nearly east of Bloomington - perhaps a few degrees south of east- and about ten degrees above the horizon. Its motion was from south to north. The length of its apparent track was 20° or 25°. The first half of its course was but slightly inclined to the earth's surface; the inclination, however, became sensibly greater towards the point of disappearance, which was N. about 70° E., and very near the horizon. The apparent diameter of the meteor was at least one-third that of the moon. The motion was extremely rapid ; the time of flight not exceeding two seconds. No detonation was heard, nor did the meteor separate into fragments at the time of disappearance.

Read more