New York Tribune

COMETS OF 1881.

Perhaps the most popular astronomical feature of the past year has been the appearance of no less than six bright comets, but did so. The first of these was discovered by Lewis Swift, of Holmesville, on May 1, in the constellation Andromeda and is known as Comet 1881 I. The second comet of this year was telegraphed from Hon. Hinckos Ayaes on June 1, by Dr. Gould, but it was not until June 23 that its nucleus became visible to the naked eye in this latitude. Its splendid appearance during June and July will remain in the memory of everyone who ever glances at the celestial vault. And on July 1, before its glory had materially diminished, Watson, of Ann Arbor, announced his discovery of another (then telescopic) comet, which especially became a bright and conspicuous object in the northern sky at twilight, with one of the most beautiful trains of the season visible to the naked eye. This was soon followed by the return of the well-known comet of short period, which visits us every year. A date later, i.e., on September 21, Mr. Barnard, an amateur astronomer, of Nashville, Tenn., discovered the fifth on the edge of the Great Square. On October 14 Mr. Daniel, the well-known observer of meteor showers at Bristol, picked up a sixth bright telescopic comet, which has been designated as J. This is interesting as being comparatively short period, viz., eight years and four months. Meantime on November 17 Professor Swift discovered the seventh of these strange bodies. It has been called G, and its elements bear some resemblance to those of a comet which appeared in 1774. From none of these bodies much information concerning their physical structure has been obtained, but their spectra have given unmistakable proof of the presence of carbon; and the polarization of their light of the fact that, at least in one case, the greater part of it was reflected, and did not proceed from a self-luminous body.