SCIENCE- GO SSI P. 



NEW OK TEMPORARY STARS. 



By Frank C Dennett, 



FROM time to time mysterious stars have been 

 noted in the heavens that after glowing 

 brilliantly for a time have gradually dwindled 

 away. The first of these of which we have any 

 record appeared between /3 and p Scorpii so long 

 ago as B.C. KM. whilst the last is still shining in 



Ma-tuan-lin also tells of a star blazing out in our 

 era A.D. 173 between a and $ Centauri. In April 

 A.D. 380 one appeared between A and <p Sagittarii. 

 and is said to have remained visible and stationary 

 until July. Another, rivalling Venus, came into 

 view in 389, near a Aquilae, and was seen for three 



Position of tub New Star, Nova Pehsei, 1901. 



the constellation Perseus. The first rivalled Venus 

 in lustre, and helped to stimulate Hipparchus of 

 Nicaea, in Bithynia, to set about constructing a 

 catalogue of 1,022 stars. Chinese records, too, tell 

 of this star, as well as of another between a Her- 

 culis and a Ophiuehi. in A.D. L23. The Chinese' 

 Ai'iui. 1901.— No. 83, Vol. VII. 



weeks. During the reign of the Emperor Otho, 

 \.i>. 945, a star surpassing Venus in brilliance is 

 said to have appeared in the part of Cassiopeia 

 bordering on Cepheus. In December 1 230 another 

 appeared between the constellations Serpens and 

 Ophiuchus, remaining visible until March 1231. 

 Published March 25th, 1901. 



