312 
EASTMAN. 
Observations of Meteors. 
Most of the observers of sporadic meteors and meteorites 
have been either amateurs or persons entirely deficient in 
that special training which is so essential in a trustworthy 
observer of unexpected phenomena. Fortunately, however, 
most of the important phenomena have been noted by in¬ 
telligent and skilled observers, whose zeal and care have left 
little to be desired. 
It would be impracticable to mention even the names of 
all the successful observers, but any sketch of the progress 
of meteoric astronomy in this country would be notably de¬ 
ficient if some of the prominent names were omitted. 
The remarkable meteor shower of November 13, 1833, 
attracted the attention of many careful observers and zealous 
students along our Atlantic coast, and for several years the 
subject was carefully investigated by Prof. Dennison Olm- 
stead and Prof. A. C. Twining, who were the pioneers in the 
study of this science in the United States. 
From 1838 when E. C. Herrick began his work he labored 
with untiring industry as an observer and a compiler of ob¬ 
servations and other data until his death, in 1862, and no 
one in this country did so much as he in promoting the ob¬ 
servation and investigation of the August meteors. 
Mr. Herrick also gave considerable attention to the study 
and observation of the November meteors, but this stream 
was made a special study by Prof. H. A. Newton, with the 
best results. 
Professor Newton’s observations of the November meteors 
began in 1860 and have been continued to the present time, 
while his investigations of the motions and character of this 
stream place him undeniably at the head of American 
workers in this branch of Astronomy. 
Much work of the highest value was done by Prof. C. U. 
Shepard and by Prof. J. Lawrence Smith in the chemical 
examination of all classes of meteorites, and excellent in- 
