Two Approaching Comets

Two periodical oomets are now approachinï perihelion, but it is not likefy that either of thsm will become visible for some weeks yet, unless in the largest telescopes. Faye's cornet will bc nearest (ha earth on the :ïd of Ootober (it the dwtaBoe 1.09 that of the sun), but will not be in perihelion until the Ü2d of January next year. It was disoovered on November 22, 184.Ï, and observed at eftch of the subsequeut returns, passing its perihelion on the last occasipn on July 18. 187;i. ïhis cornet was detected by Mr. Common at BalIng, with his large reflector, on August 2, in the position given üy Dr. Axel Moller'a epliemeris. The theoretical intunsitv of light at this date was 0.078, vvhich ratlu-r exceeds that at the lirst and hut observations at the appearanee n 18.J0-'51. The cornet was very small and extremel)7 faint when the sky was ïot quite blaek. The faintness of the cornet will prevent its bein wel] observed at any time with ordinary teleloopes. Since its last appearanee in 187:!, when only four observations were secured, the effect of perturbation has been to lengthen the pariod 56.5 days, and to retanl the arrival at periheüon by 38 days, the main part of this perturbation having beeu produced by iupiter in 1875. The other, Winnecke's periodic:il omet, was discovered in 1819 by Fan, uu! not seen again until 1858, when Dr. Vinneeke determincd satisfactorily the ircumstances oí its orbit. Tlie lat lassaijti througli Mrihelion occurred on laren l2, 1875; the next, aocording to 'rof. von Oupolzer'a calculations will ill on the 4th of net December. Uut he positlon of the cornet at this return vill be very unfavorable for vis'bility ;it wliere there are suflieiently "uvrJul t'.'leseopes to a Tord hop of .-ceiff 80 ïaint an objeoL. Dr. von Jpolzer beheves that at the next return, 1 1883, the oiroumst anees will bo far ïore likety to giv8 aSfWTGómers an oportuuity of obseivino; the eomel. !' Ig. als o unfavombly placed i 1863, X as not seeu at all that yeai, wjion il ased its perihelion in the uutiimn. -