1868. ] Astronomy. 557 
terrestrial physics bring under our notice. Therefore we are 
forced to acknowledge that beyond the limits of our atmosphere, 
relations may subsist with which we are as yet, and perhaps may 
for ever remain, unfamilar. 
M. Otto Struve has twice been able to observe the spectrum of 
the Aurora Borealis. He finds that it consists of one line, so that 
the light is monochromatic. The line falls near the margin of the 
yellow and green, about the position 1259 on Kirchhoff’s map. 
In the ‘Comptes Rendus’ for 5rd August there is an account 
of a fall of meteorites which took place on February 29th, 1868, 
in Piedmont, at about half-past ten in the morning. A violent 
detonation was heard in the arrondissement of Casale, and was 
immediately followed by another explosion and several minor dis- 
charges. While the noise continued a strange irregular mass of 
matter, enveloped in smoke, was observed at a considerable height 
above the ground. Other observers saw several masses moving 
from N.W. to 8.E. Some labourers noticed the fall of a shower 
of fragments. Some of them which fell near Mount Conti were 
examined, and found to contain silica, sulphur, phosphorus, copper, 
metallic iron, oxide of iron, nickel, manganese, chromate of iron, 
aluminium, magnesia, and potash. Others which fell at Villeneuve 
contained also lime and soda. 
The number of the asteroids has now been raised to one hundred, 
the ninety-ninth asteroid having been discovered at the Marseilles 
Observatory, and the hundredth by Professor Watson, of Detroit, 
Michigan. 
The planet Jupiter is now favourably situated for observation. 
His belts are at present very distinctly marked. We have had 
some magnificent views of the planet with one of Mr. Browning’s 
12-inch silvered-glass reflectors ; and should wish to call the special 
attention of observers to the corrugations of the principal northern 
belt (they have remained visible for a long time, and will doubtless 
continue to be seen for some months), and to the strangely-shaped 
clouds which streak the principal southern belt. 
There will be a transit of Mercury on the morning of No- 
vember 5th. The transit begins an hour-and-three-quarters before 
sunrise (which takes place at three minutes past seven), and ends 
two hours after sunrise. The planet will pass from east to west 
across the sun’s disc, the pomt of ingress being 165° towards the 
east from the North Pole; and the point of egress 113° towards 
the west. 
There is little probability that the shooting-stars of Novem- 
ber 14th will be seen in any part of Europe this year. The 
calculated period of maximum display is about half-past one in 
the afternoon of November 14th. ‘The display will probably be 
seen in New Zealand, and possibly a few Europeans who may find 
