OBSERVATIONS OF LUMINOUS METEORS. 265 



•each other and with a radiant point near 4 Bootis is very close, and this 

 star was culminating at the time on the south meridian. The initial 

 points of all the tracks begin so near it, probably by an extension to which 

 there is a natural tendency in observations, that the initial height of the 

 fireball thence obtained is without doubt much overrated, while its dura- 

 tion in seconds was very well determined by the independent estimations. 

 There appears no reason (from the greatly overrated length of path) to 

 accept M. Gruey's calculation that the real orbit of this fireball was a 

 hyperbola of very great eccentricity, as the measure of its real length of 

 path and velocity is based upon very questionable data ? A loud detona- 

 tion followed the meteor's disappearance at Bordeaux, 55 miles from its 

 end point, in five minutes ; the distance which sound would travel in 

 that time is about 62 miles. 



On October 19th, 1877, 6 h 13 m p.m., Ireland, and the West of 

 England. A very magnificent fireball made its appearance westwards of 

 the English coast, over Ireland and St. George's Channel, during full 

 twilight, and before any stars were yet plainly visible, on the above 

 evening ; and many accounts of its unusual appearance were presented in 

 the daily journals. The strength of the daylight hindered all definite 

 measures of its position, and a solitary description by the stars at Mon- 

 mouth, together with a careful sketch of its course forwarded to the Com- 

 mittee from an observer near Dublin by Professor Ball, of the Dunsink 

 Observatory, are the only available accounts among a score or two, for 

 determining the real direction of its course ! Its flash was like lightning at 

 Swansea, amid the glow in the west lingering after the departed sun. 

 By the few who saw the meteor itself, it is described (at Weston-super- 

 Mare) as a balloon of whitish light, falling slowly ; at Stoke Prior, 

 Wolverhampton, as a glowing poker rushing through the air ; and a 

 strange spectacle seems to have been presented by it (as described in the 

 ' Times ' of October 24th) near Templemore, in the south-west part of 

 Ireland. " We had one of the most brilliant meteors here last evening 

 that I ever saw ; indeed, it was rather startling, as the whole heavens 

 seemed open, or rather divided. It was a quarter to six o'clock (Irish 

 time), and I was on the terrace when I suddenly heard a crackling noise, 

 or rather the intense light and noise came together. I looked up and saw 

 a great light. The meteor went from east to west. I did not see it fall 

 to earth, as it seemed to vanish away into space. It began small, then 

 grew alarmingly large, and gradually disappeared, although the light re- 

 mained visible for over seven minutes. I called M. from the piano, and 

 A, ran down from my room wondering what had come to pass. I went 

 down (100 yards off) to call K. and his family to look at the light, which 

 was still very bright, though not so intense as it had been, and which had 

 then assumed a semicircular shape, and gradually grew paler. It was 

 quite seven or eight minutes visible. I shall never forget the sight, it was 

 so grand and awful." Templemore is in the direction from Monmouth 

 which the meteor took, as it descended vertically, in the position there 

 noted near Arcturus ; and the alarming nature of the spectacle seems to 

 indicate that its nearest approach to the earth must have been not very 

 far from Templemore. 



The observer (Mr. John Parker) near Dublin, also gives a singular 

 description of its appearance. " First indication : — A momentary brilliant 

 illumination of all surrounding objects, casting a well defined shadow, as 

 in sunlight, and not such as is caused by lightning. 



