COMET OF 1807 — 8. 371 



The splendor and apparent magnitude of the comet visibly 

 diminish; the nucleus seems reduced to little more than half its 

 first observed magnitude. 



17. At 

 21. At 



December 6th. Indisposition prevented observation for sonic 

 time past. This evening being line, I directed the reflecting tele- 

 scope to the comet; the nucleus is now much diminished in appa- 

 rent magnitude; I compared it with a star of the sixth magnitude 

 in the Swan, which was within the field of view at the same time, 

 their apparent diameters were nearly equal, but the comet is 

 become so dim, as to be seen by the naked eye only in a pure 

 atmosphere, with favourable circumstances: the weather being 

 cold and damp, my state of health did not permit taking any 

 distances: the coma is yet considerable, but the tail is no longer 

 visible, one would be inclined to say, as the comet recedes 

 from the sun, that the tail is called in (as it were) to add to the 

 magnitude of the coma; for certainly the latter is but very little 

 diminished in proportion to the nucleus. 



In order to supply my own deficiencies, I shall here intro- 

 duce the observations of Mr. Pease (on whose correctness I 

 place the greatest reliance) during the time my own were in- 

 terrupted by ill health. 



Observations by Mr. Pease. 



h ' " off 



1807. Novr. 21. At 



22. At 



24. At 



30. At 



Deer. 16. At 



18. At 



19. At 6 22 The Comet was to' the right of a Cygni 51' 



