400 On the Meteors of loth November. 



an hour and a half, Capt. P. observed them. During that time they 

 were seen only in the north-east, above the cloud, and the eye at first 

 would take in nearly the whole space of their action, which extended 

 6 or 7 points along the horizon, and about 45° in altitude above it; 

 but towards the latter part of its obscuration, the space was more ex- 

 tended, say 12 or 14 points horizontally, and a few degrees higher in 

 altitude. During its whole period of obscuration, not one tuas seen 

 in the west ; although Capt. P. looked particularly to this fact, and 

 called the mate's attention to it at the time. Capt. Parker distinctly 

 remembers a radiant point in the N. E., from which all the courses 

 were directed, some shooting horizontally, some vertically, and oth- 

 ers at all inclinations between the two, but none upwards, — -some shot 

 towards the north, and some towards the east. This radiant at first 

 held about 45° of altitude, but seemed to rise 5° or 10° in the pe- 

 riod of his observation ; without, however, moving from the N. E. at 

 all. The meteors resembled common shooting stars, and were most- 

 ly as minute in magnitude as the stars themselves, — ten or twelve, 

 however, would compare in size with the morning star. Some of the 

 larger moved over a space of 15° to 20°, and some of them seemed 

 to develope themselves not far from the point, and to go behind the 

 cloud. All that descended low enough, passed behind the cloud, — 

 not one between the cloud and the observer. Near to the radiant, 

 the courses of some that were observed were very short — not more 

 than 2° or 3°. All, both large and small, left a luminous trace, in 

 which no prismatic colors were observed ; and no one of the traces 

 was observed to continue visible more than two seconds. The after- 

 noon of the preceding day had been squally, and wind variable; but 

 at the time of observation there was light wind from N. E. 



At nearly half past four, Capt. Parker yielded the deck to his 

 mate, who states that soon after he came on deck, the stars appeared 

 passing over from the N. E. into the west. In the west their courses 

 were very short, and they seemed "just to let go their hold." The 

 ship was heading S. E. He continued on deck till eight o'clock, 

 A. M. In the mean time, the meteors increased in number, and 

 spread over the whole heavens, and were most brilliant about six 

 o'clock. The sun rose at half-past six. 



The ship Tennessee, Lat. 23i° N., Lon. 82° W,, was in view of 

 the meteors on every side, from 4 to 6 o'clock, A. M. They seem- 

 ed to follow the direction of the wind, which was E. N. E. 



Of all the observations, Capt. Parker's are the most definite and 

 accurate. It follows as one consequence from them, that the radiant 

 lay more to the north to his view than to ours ; for at 3 o'clock, to 

 him the Lion's neck lay E, 5° N. and 45° high, while he observed 

 the radiant at E. 45° N. and 45° high. With his observation, agrees 

 pretty well the general observation made by the mate of the Ten- 

 nessee." 



