﻿320 Observations on the Shooting Stars of August, 1844. 



Letter to the Editors from S. R. Williams, Professor of Natural 



Philosophy and Chemistry in Jefferson College. 



Jefferson College, Canonsburg, Pa., August 30, 1844. 



Gentlemen — On the night of the 10th inst. we had a fine dis- 

 play of meteors ; the entire absence of clouds and moonlight giv- 

 ing peculiar facilities for observation. 



At half past 8 p.m. I took a position which commanded a view 

 of the northeastern portion of the heavens ; observed carefully 

 and without interruption until 1 a. m. — in all four and a half hours. 

 Within this time, and in the section of the visible heavens above 

 mentioned, I counted one hundred and seventeen meteors. They 

 differed much in splendor and in duration of appearance — the 

 paths of some being not more than two or three degrees in 

 length, while others were from twenty to thirty degrees. The 

 11 radiating point" was in the direction of Cassiopeia, and fol- 

 lowed that constellation in its progress from the horizon to its 

 meridian altitude. A few "stragglers" started from other points; 



but the courses of about 



c 



towards the constellations Cepheus, Lacerta, and Andromeda. 

 Towards the close of the observations, the " radiating point" 

 seemed to be falling to the southeastward of Cassiopeia and to 

 approach the head of Perseus, as though its progress were not 

 quite equal to that of the former constellation. 



An intelligent friend who was abroad until a late hour of the 

 same night, stated that he observed meteors in great numbers 

 in all parts of the heavens, but that they were particularly splen- 

 did and numerous towards the southwest. 



On the evenings of the 9th and 11th also, a few of unusual 

 brilliancy were seen, but they were much less numerous than on 



the night of the 10th, 



Respectfully yours, 



Williams 







