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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



on December 1st, as to Schmidt on November 24th, it appeared to be 

 of from tlie third to the fourth magnitude ; on December 3d it had 

 fallen to the fourth magcnitude, and on December 4th to the fifth 

 magnitude. The right ascension was 24'' 36 50.4'; declination, +42 

 16' 37. V" for 1886. O. 



,...330 



320 . ZXI= 310 



Yia. 3. Map showing Portion of New Star in the Swan. Lezakd the Lizard; Ctgne 

 THE Swan ; Etoile Nouvelle the New Star. 



We may observe here that there is nothing in common between 

 this new star and those wliich made their appearance in 1600 in the 

 neck of the Swan, and in 1670 near /3 of the same constellation. The 

 onlj^ point of agreement between them is their nearness to the Milky- 

 Way. 



In comparing Schmidt's observations with those of Prosper Henry, 

 we note two important facts : tlie first is, the diminution of lustre, 

 varying in eight days from the third to the fifth magnitude ; and, 

 second, the notable change of color, from a pronounced yellow to 

 greenish blue a change so patent that it cannot be referred to in- 

 dividual differences of judgment, or to atmospheric influences. 



The new star of the Swan has been made the subject of a very 

 interesting spectroscopical study. As early as December 2d, Coruu 

 applied a spectroscope to the great equatorial in the eastern tower of 

 the Paris Observatory. Cazin, too, employed for the same purpose 

 the nine-inch equatorial telescope (the object-glass of which is by Leon 

 Foucault). Both of these observers arrived at the same conclusion. 

 The spectrum of the star, observed during a brief interval of clear 

 sky, appeared to " consist in great part of bright lines, and hence 



