Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
June 28, 1765
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
On May 10, 1765, J. Philotechnos and two gentlemen observed a bright meteor near Coldenham, New York, appearing as a globe of fire with a tail, moving northwest. It disappeared twice briefly, leaving a luminous track. Similar sighting reported from White Plains.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the NEW-YORK Gazette.
To the Printer,
May 13. 1765.
If you please to insert the following Account, it may please some of your philosophical Readers, as well as oblige
Your humble Servant,
J. PHILOTECHNOS.
On the 10th Instant, at half after 8 at Night, the Sun about 23 D. below the Horizon, the Air clear, and inclined to Frost, I was riding in Company with two Gentlemen 4 Miles N. W. of the Academy Coldenham, when suddenly the Earth and Air were enlightened to a much greater Degree than they could have been by the full Moon in a clear Night. My Horse stopp'd, and I in astonishment turned round, beheld a Globe of Fire, apparently of about 18 Inches diameter, with a Tail several Yards long, and at about a Mile's distance W. by S, having a swift motion to the N. W. by N. making with the plain of the Horizon an Angle of about 30 D. Its Beginning, as near as I can judge, was 40 D. from the Zenith.
After continuing in this Direction about 4 Seconds, it disappeared, but left a luminous Track: In about 3 Seconds more it resumed its former Size, Brightness and Direction, and after near the same Continuance, suddenly disappeared and we saw no more of it. At both Times of its Appearance we plainly saw small Particles continually issuing from the Main Body, resembling Sparks from a Fire disturbed. We had all seen Meteors before, but neither of us ever saw any equal to this either in Size or Brightness. Next Morning there was a hard Frost that did much Damage to the Fruit.
A like Account of the Meteor is given by two Gentlemen at the White Plains, West Chester, at the same Time, only to them it did not disappear, but contracted into about half the Bulk, and again expanded to its former Size.
To the Printer,
May 13. 1765.
If you please to insert the following Account, it may please some of your philosophical Readers, as well as oblige
Your humble Servant,
J. PHILOTECHNOS.
On the 10th Instant, at half after 8 at Night, the Sun about 23 D. below the Horizon, the Air clear, and inclined to Frost, I was riding in Company with two Gentlemen 4 Miles N. W. of the Academy Coldenham, when suddenly the Earth and Air were enlightened to a much greater Degree than they could have been by the full Moon in a clear Night. My Horse stopp'd, and I in astonishment turned round, beheld a Globe of Fire, apparently of about 18 Inches diameter, with a Tail several Yards long, and at about a Mile's distance W. by S, having a swift motion to the N. W. by N. making with the plain of the Horizon an Angle of about 30 D. Its Beginning, as near as I can judge, was 40 D. from the Zenith.
After continuing in this Direction about 4 Seconds, it disappeared, but left a luminous Track: In about 3 Seconds more it resumed its former Size, Brightness and Direction, and after near the same Continuance, suddenly disappeared and we saw no more of it. At both Times of its Appearance we plainly saw small Particles continually issuing from the Main Body, resembling Sparks from a Fire disturbed. We had all seen Meteors before, but neither of us ever saw any equal to this either in Size or Brightness. Next Morning there was a hard Frost that did much Damage to the Fruit.
A like Account of the Meteor is given by two Gentlemen at the White Plains, West Chester, at the same Time, only to them it did not disappear, but contracted into about half the Bulk, and again expanded to its former Size.
What sub-type of article is it?
Extraordinary Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Nature
What keywords are associated?
Meteor Sighting
Fireball
Luminous Track
Coldenhame
White Plains
Frost Damage
What entities or persons were involved?
J. Philotechnos
Where did it happen?
4 Miles N. W. Of The Academy Coldenham; White Plains, West Chester
Story Details
Key Persons
J. Philotechnos
Location
4 Miles N. W. Of The Academy Coldenham; White Plains, West Chester
Event Date
1765 05 10
Story Details
Observer and companions witness a large, bright meteor with tail and sparks, moving northwest at an angle, disappearing twice briefly; similar sighting at White Plains where it contracted and expanded without disappearing; followed by damaging frost.