OcrToseER 19, 1899] 
WAT ORE 
But it must be admitted that these deductions are 
liable to some uncertainty. Last year the predicted late- 
coming of the meteors was far from being corroborated 
by observation. The maximum number of meteors was 
recorded on the morning of November 15, and very few 
Leonids were presented on the following morning, though 
computation had indicated the latter as the time of 
maximum. In view of the prevailing doubts there seems 
no alternative but to watch for the shower throughout the 
morning of the 15th, and failing its brilliant apparition 
then, to repeat the watch on the morning of the 16th. 
The maximum may be displayed at any time between 
November 15, oh. 30m. a.m. and November 16, 6h. 
30m. a.m. 
In England a November sky is cloudy on at least three 
nights out of four, and this year we shall have moonlight 
to consider as well, for our satellite 
will be nearly full, and must largely 
detract from the striking character of 
the display. Should the meteors ap- 
pear on the morning of the 15th, they 
might, however, be seen on a dark 
sky, for the moon will set about 23 
hours before sunrise. The Leonids 
are fine meteors; a large proportion 
of them are as bright as Ist mag. 
stars, and, notwithstanding moonlight, 
will create a conspicuous effect if 
they return in great numbers. On 
the occasion of the last grand display 
on the morning of November 14, 
1866, the writer was much struck with 
the number of tolerably bright meteors, 
and observed several which were 
many times brighter than Venus at 
her best. These Leonid fireballs 
gave lightning-like flashes, and left 
short green streaks, enduring for five, 
ten, fifteen minutes, and even more. 
The approaching display will be sure 
to supply a few of these splendid 
objects. 
fixing the time of the maximum and strength of the 
display. A table with writing material and a lamp 
should be at hand so that numbers and notes can be 
hurriedly recorded by the observer almost without 
diverting his attention from the heavens. With more 
than one observer the various aspects of a meteoric 
shower can be fully recorded, but it is impossible to 
suppose that one person can watch its progress and 
record all the details presented. 
Observers need not specially record the meteors with 
the main object of fixing the centre of radiation. We 
have already obtained a great number of eye-estimates 
of this position, and these must be put aside for 
the more accurate values obtainable by photography. 
No doubt the latter method will be extensively brought 
into requisition, though the bright moonlight will afford 
At every station where the weather 
enables the shower to be successfully 
witnessed, certain features ought to 
be particularly recorded. The meteors 
should be counted, and the time of 
maximum ascertained. It will be 
useful also to determine the hourly 
rate of apparition by noting at certain 
regular intervals the number which 
appear. By counting during short 
intervals and continuing the work for 
several hours, the rise and fall of the 
display as well as the number per 
minute at and near the time of maxi- 
mum might possibly be obtained. In 
the event of an exceedingly abundant display, similar to 
that seen in America in 1833, the observer may feel 
bewildered and find it impossible to record the exact 
numbers. In such a case the figures should be estimated 
as carefully as possible. 
Another feature will be to preserve a description of the 
time, brightness and apparent paths of any specially fine 
Leonids that may be visible. The paths should be 
marked on a celestial globe or suitable star-map, and the 
Right Ascension and Declination of their beginning and 
end points registered in a book properly ruled for the 
purpose. The length, duration and possible drifting of 
the luminous streak, left by every bright meteor, should 
also receive attention. Near the time of maximum, how- 
ever, these details may be disregarded, as it will be 
necessary for the observer to concentrate his efforts to 
NO. 1564, VOL. 60] 
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I ed! I Iie AE 
a serious hindrance on the present occasion. The 
Leonids begin to fall as early as November 7, and the 
shower is sustained over a fortnight. It will be very 
important to look for the meteors of this stream between 
about November 7-11, and record the paths of those 
visible with a view to definitely ascertaining the position 
of the radiant. At this early period of the shower’s 
activity it is not probable that the photographic method 
will be appealed to. It is to be hoped that all regular 
meteoric observers will follow the progress of the shower 
with close attention during the second week of Novem- 
ber in this year, for the questions as to the date of 
commencement of the shower and as to whether the 
radiant is a shifting or stationary one are very inter- 
esting features requiring settlement. 
W. F. DENNING. 
