440 Dr.W. J. M. Rankine on the Meteor of Novembdr 19, 1870. 



If n be even, the last two terms of the series will be of the 

 form 



If n be odd, the last two terms will be 



+ (^ 1 cos 3 (9 + ^cos6'){^ 1) (T + ^v / ^)+^- 1 \T-^V / '=l)} 

 + /,{^ ) (T + ^>v/~l) + ^ ) (T-(/)v/^l)}, 

 where h,k, I ; h v k v l { are known constants. 

 Lincoln's Inn, November 12, 1870. 



LIV. On the Meteor of November 19, 1870. 

 By W. J. Macquorn Rankine, C.E., LL.D., F.R.SS.L. $ E. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal, 

 Gentlemen, 



ACCOUNTS have appeared in the Scottish newspapers of 

 a very large and bright meteor seen on the 19th instant, 

 about 9 p.m. Greenwich time, from Edinburgh and from Carn- 

 wath (about thirty miles to the south-east of Glasgow). The 

 meteor, as seen from Carnwath, is described as having passed 

 from north-east to south-west, nearly overhead, and as having 

 been followed by a rumbling sound after an interval of ninety 

 seconds. 



In the immediate neighbourhood of Glasgow there was, on 

 that night, a haze so thick as to conceal the stars ; but the glare 

 of light produced by the meteor was distinctly seen at 30 seconds 

 before 9, Greenwich time. It lasted three or four seconds, and, 

 judging by the distinctness with which it illuminated terrestrial 

 objects, was considerably brighter than the light of the full 

 moou. From the appearance of the sky in the quarter in which 

 the light vanished, the luminous object seemed to disappear in 

 a southerly direction, at an altitude less than 30°. 



A rumbling sound followed, after an interval which was not 

 accurately ascertained, but is believed to have been between 

 three and five minutes, corresponding to a distance of between 

 thirty-six and sixty miles. 



I am, Gentlemen, 



Your most obedient Servant, 



W. J. Macquorn Rankine. 



Glasgow, November 23, 1870. 



