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Letter to Editor
January 11, 1760
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A 1760 letter from Portsmouth reports the sighting of a new comet, confirming Newtonian philosophy on comets. It details the comet's initial position near Canis Minor and a follow-up observation on Jan. 10 noting its swift retrograde movement of 5.5 degrees in 48 hours, suggesting it passed near Earth.
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PORTSMOUTH.
To the PUBLISHER, &c.
LAST Year the learned World was gratified with the expected Visit of the COMET of 1682, which has greatly confirmed the Newtonian Philosophy, especially as to the Theory of Comets. Another Comet now makes it's Appearance, which perhaps may afford the Curious a good Advantage of improving and perfecting former Observations on those wonderful Bodies which revolve in our System. It was not observ'd or heard of here till Sunday Evening; for probably the full Light of the Moon which has been passing by it, prevented it's Appearance sooner. I first saw it last night; it was very plain. like a Star of about the second Magnitude. in a hazy Cloud: It's Place, if I am not mistaken, was about 2° below Canis Minor, in a right Line betwixt that Star. and another in the End of the Tail of Canis Major. This Evening it will rise about 7 o'Clock; at nine it will be nearly S. E. and on the Meridian about Midnight. The Ingenious will doubtless take Notice of it, and soon determine, whether it is approaching or going off, whether it will be remarkable or inconsiderable.
Yours, &c.
A. B.
Portsmouth, Jan. 8, 1760.
P.S. Jan. 10.
Last Evening afforded another fair View of the above-mentioned Comet. It has mov'd with surprizing Swiftness, about 5½ Degrees in 48 Hours, retrograde from its Place last Monday Evening: it seems to have been passing very near the Earth in its Ascent from the Sun. and now to be going off into the remote Regions of its Orbit, as its Light is very much diminished.
To the PUBLISHER, &c.
LAST Year the learned World was gratified with the expected Visit of the COMET of 1682, which has greatly confirmed the Newtonian Philosophy, especially as to the Theory of Comets. Another Comet now makes it's Appearance, which perhaps may afford the Curious a good Advantage of improving and perfecting former Observations on those wonderful Bodies which revolve in our System. It was not observ'd or heard of here till Sunday Evening; for probably the full Light of the Moon which has been passing by it, prevented it's Appearance sooner. I first saw it last night; it was very plain. like a Star of about the second Magnitude. in a hazy Cloud: It's Place, if I am not mistaken, was about 2° below Canis Minor, in a right Line betwixt that Star. and another in the End of the Tail of Canis Major. This Evening it will rise about 7 o'Clock; at nine it will be nearly S. E. and on the Meridian about Midnight. The Ingenious will doubtless take Notice of it, and soon determine, whether it is approaching or going off, whether it will be remarkable or inconsiderable.
Yours, &c.
A. B.
Portsmouth, Jan. 8, 1760.
P.S. Jan. 10.
Last Evening afforded another fair View of the above-mentioned Comet. It has mov'd with surprizing Swiftness, about 5½ Degrees in 48 Hours, retrograde from its Place last Monday Evening: it seems to have been passing very near the Earth in its Ascent from the Sun. and now to be going off into the remote Regions of its Orbit, as its Light is very much diminished.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Science Nature
What keywords are associated?
Comet Sighting
Newtonian Philosophy
Astronomy Observation
Portsmouth 1760
Comet Movement
What entities or persons were involved?
A. B.
To The Publisher, &C.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
A. B.
Recipient
To The Publisher, &C.
Main Argument
reports the appearance of a new comet in portsmouth, confirming newtonian theory, with details on its position, visibility, and rapid retrograde movement indicating a close pass by earth.
Notable Details
Confirms Newtonian Philosophy On Comets
Position 2° Below Canis Minor
Appeared Like A Star Of Second Magnitude In Hazy Cloud
Moved 5½ Degrees In 48 Hours Retrograde
Passing Near Earth From The Sun