Shooting Stars of August, 1839. 327 



dor to Venns, fell almost vertically in the S. S. E., and suddenly, 

 when at the brightest, disappeared near Fomalhaut. It traversed 

 an arc of about 20°, and was remarkable for its great magnitude, 

 its brilliant train, and its golden green light.* 



The night of the 10th was also very favorable. Prof Stanley, 

 Messrs. Bush and Haile, and myself, watched for three hours, and 

 saw during that time, four hundred and ninety-one different me- 

 teors as follows : — 



N. 



lOh. to llh. p. M., 25 



llh. to 12h. p. M., 50 



Oh. to Ih. A. M., (11th,) 32 



491 



As to general characters the meteors were similar to those of 

 the night preceding. Several of the most splendid ones were 

 on both nights seen before we commenced observations. On the 

 evening of the 10th, two were plainly seen a few minntes after 

 7 P. M., while the daylight was quite strong. About 11 P. M. 

 we saw one low in the N., which after traversing an arc of about 

 5°, flashed out with greenish blue scintillations, of dazzling bril- 

 liancy. The train remained in sight from 18 to 20 seconds after. J 

 Mr. E. P. Mason, who was using the large Reflector, for several 

 houi's on both nights, saw during that period, about twenty me- 

 teors, less brilliant than stars of the seventh magnitude, (and of 

 course invisible to the naked eye,) passing across the field of 

 view. When we left our station, soon after 1 A. M. of 11th, the 

 meteors were becoming a little more frequent ; but owing to fa- 

 tigue incurred the day previous, and to the expectation of a watch 



* Several of the meteors showed a greenish tinge. Meteors wholly green have 

 been sometimes observed. One is described by B. D. Silliman, Esq., in this Jour- 

 nal, vol. XIV. p. 199. 



t Owing to an interruption of the observations, several meteors were during this 

 hour, lost in the N. and W. quadrants : probably as many as 29 in all. The appa- 

 rent diminution is therefore not real. 



I The permanence of some meteoric trains is truly astonishing. They are occa- 

 sionally seen to remain as long as thirty seconds after the extinction of the meteor. 

 On the morning of November 14th, 1838, trustworthy observeis, who were then in 

 about tat. 1.5° S., Ion. 34" W., saw among other meteors one at Ih. 40m. A. M. 

 whose train continued visible foiir Tninutcs. During the meteoric shower of No- 

 vember, 1833, the train of a large fire ball is said to have been seen nearly or quite 

 fifteen minutes. 



