METEOR FALLS, SUPER BOLIDES AND EARTH SKIMMING OBJECTS IN AUSTRALIA
FROM THE YEARS 1873 TO 1875
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(Note: There are a few overseas entries of significance that made Australian papers. For complete transpearancy I have kept editing to the bare minimum, so spelling mistakes and general grammatical errors are original text.)
1873, Gippsland Times, Vic. : Sat 4 Jan 1873, A meteor of unusual splendour and brilliancy was observable on Thursday night in the north-west. Its course was from north-west to south-west, as it proeceded leaving a train of fire behind which quite illumined the sky in the quarter it traversed. Several other meteors of less note were seen the same night. Our Briagolong correspondent informs us that during the past week numbers of them have been seen from that locality, one of which attracted considerable attention, last Saturday night. It travelled from east to south lasting for several seconds, at last ex- ploding and sending forth a spray of stars that illumined the whole firmament. REPORT 2: At 10.40 p.m., on the 2nd instant, (Thursday) a brilliant meteor passed through the sky. It started rather faint at first, about 10 degrees south-east of Procyon in Cams minor, in a southerly direction, and disappeared to the cast of the star Gamma, in the Southern Cross. During the passage it appeared half as large again as the planet Jupiter. Two other stars passed in the same direction, from the same place, between that time and 11 p.m., but not so bright. REPORT 3: A magnificent 'meteor shot across the. Northern sky about half-past 10 o'olock last evening. Its course was from west to east, , and the appearance somewhat resembled an immense luminous pear of brilliant white colour edged with blue. Gippslands seems to have been visited by a somewhat unseasonable shower of meteors. From the Times we learn that "a meteor of unusual splendor and' brilliancy was observable on Thursday night in the north- west. Its course was from north-west to south-west as it proceeded, leaving a train of fire, behind which quite illumined the sky in the quarter it traversed. Several other meteors of less note were seen the same night.
1873, Wagga Wagga Advertiser and Riverine Reporte, NSW : Sat 11 Jan 1873, The Mount Alexander Mail reports that " a magnificent meteor shot across tho northern sky about half-past 10 o'clock on Friday evening.' Its course was from west to east, and the appearance somewhat resembled an immense luminous pear, of a brilliant white colour, edged with blue."
1873, The Ballarat Courier, Vic. : Wed 5 Feb 1873, A meteor of extraordinary brilliancy appeared in Melbourne on Monday night. Just before it burst it appeared as large as the full moon. When it exploded, it lit up the Fitzroy Gardens with quite a vivid light. REPORT 2: A METEOR of extraordinary magnitude and brilliancy was observed on Monday night at abont half-past 9 o'clock. It appeared in the southern sky, at an elevation of about 75 degrees.
1873, The Ballarat Star, Vic. : Tue 11 Feb 1873, A correspondent writes:— As a writer in Friday’s Argus desires information about the part of the sky where the meteor appeared, permit me to state that here in Ballarat I saw it pass right through the Southern Cross. A friend of mine has told me that to him the meteor appeared to issue from the star forming the bottom of the long arm of the Cross. I mention this as bearing out my observation.”
1873, The Queenslander, Brisbane, Qld. : Sat 29 Mar 1873, A splendid meteor shot along the sky on Thursday night, between 8 and 9 o'clock, from a north westerly to a southeasterly point. The night was clear and the moon shining brightly, but the meteor, during its passage overhead, greatly intensified the light.
1873, The Argus, Melbourne, Vic. : Tue 13 May 1873, "About a quarter to 10 on Thursday night," the Daylesford Mercury states. "a very beautiful meteor was seen here. When the aerolite appeared the wind was blowing strong from the north, the temperature was high for this period of the year, and the sky was clouded, except that portion of the horizon extending from west to north, Suddenly a fireball as large as.Venus, and of a lovely blue colour, dropped from the bank of cloud overhead, and descended perpendicularly towards the west. This brilliant object was visible only for a couple of seconds, and disappeared as noiselessly as it came into sight. Had not the moon been up, the exhibition of celestial pyrotechnics would have been far more splendid."
1873, Launceston Examiner, Tas. : Thu 15 May 1873, One of extraordinaiy brilliancy occurred on Tuesday night week,about nine o'clock,inthe southern quarter of the heavens, and continued visible for several seconds, lighting mip the horizon to such an extent as to produce an imitation of daybreak. I What was peculiar about this visitant was that it illuminated thile sky before it became manifest itself, and a beholder might have been startled by supposing the full moon to be rising I in the south instead of the east.
1873, Bendigo Advertiser, Vic. : Mon 26 May 1873, A Brilliant Meteor.—A meteor of extrodinary brilliancy was observed at about seven o'clock, in the southern heavens. It appeared to shoot in a north western direction, from a point half-way between the zenith and the horizon, and it was a rapid and brilliant as a flash of lightening although of bluish colour. Tho singularity of the phenomenon was that although the meteor passed in an instant, its traces were to be seen for a considerable time afterwards. The appearance was like that of an ordinary rocket, the part of the sky through which it shot being illuminated, as if with a blueish color. The sin fiery baud, and it was fully ten minutes before the bright trail disappeared. The same meteor appears to have been seen in Melbourne.
1873, Geelong Advertiser, Vic.: Mon 26 May 1873, A very brilliant meteor was observed last evening a few minutes before seven o'clock. The reflection lighted up the streets of the town, but the sky being much overcast it was only momentarily visible, and many of the church-goers imagined it to be a flash of lightning. A few, however, observed the meteor, which was of unusual' size and brilliancy, and passed from the north west to the eastern horizon.
1873, The Ballarat Star, Vic. : Tue 27 May 1873, THE METEOR. TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. OBSERVER. Monday. SIR,—I was rather surprised to find no mention in to-day’s Argus or Telegraph of the meteor referred to in your “news and notes,” as it presented a most unusual appearance in the sky for the space of three or four minutes. As near as I can judge, the time must have been about five or six minutes after seven o’clock in ; tho evening, when a bright flash threw my shadow strongly in relief upon the street, though I was then in'the full glare of.a.gas lamp almost above me/near St.' Jude’s Church, in Melbourne.' Looking up, I.saw the meteor run along through the constellation Navis for about 10 or 12 degrees in length, leaving a train of fire,., that remained visible for fully three or four, minutes, first in a straight line feathered out like a brush; and latterly undulating in a sinuous or serpent like form; as if thousands of luminous particles were slowly sinking in our atmosphere, after the bursting.
1873, The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, NSW : Sat 31 May 1873, We were informed that while the terrestrial pyrotechnic displays were proceeding they were rivalled by a meteor of unusual brilliancy cutting its way through the sky from S.S.E. to N.N.W.
1873, Bunyip, Gawler, SA : Sat 7 Jun 1873, I saw a beautiful meteor on Friday evening 'last at about 6 o'clock. I was wanting m a northerly direction, when I chanced to look round and was startled by a flish of light appearing in the southern sky, which I perceived to be a meteor. It appeared at first to be as large as the moon, and moved slowly, nearly in a perpendicular direction, leaving a streak of light behind it, which soon disappeared, and in a moment there was not a trace of any disturbance in the starry heavens.
1873, The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, NSW : Sat 7 Jun 1873, On Saturday night, a brilliant meteor was seen to shoot from the Eastern sky, in a Westerly direction, which was of such remarkable brilliancy, that its path in the heavens was illuminated for fully ten minutes afterwards.
1873, The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, NSW, Sat 7 Jun 1873. As a boating party was returning from the Lake on Queen's Birthday, by Cockle Creek, a beautiful meteor was seen about ten minutes to eight, which, for about eight seconds, quite illumined the heavens. In appearance it was like a round ball of lire, and during its rapid course was emitting showers of fiery stars. When very low it suddenly burst, causing a great stream of light. Its course was Southerly.
1873, Mount Alexander Mail, Vic. : Wed 23 Jul 1873, A very large and magnificent meteor crossed the southern arc of the sky abont 3 o'clock ou Tuesday morning. So brilliant was its light that the scenery all around was illuminated. In shape it resembled a large pear of pure white flame.
1873, Mount Alexander Mail, Vic. : Mon 28 Jul 1873, A very large meteor crossed the wdstern sky on Saturday evening, between eight and nine o'clock.' It was visible for several seconds, and was of a bright white.bolour, tinged with blue.
1873, The Mercury, Hobart, Tas. : Sat 1 Nov 1873, SINGULAR METEORS TO THE EDITOR OF THE MERCURY. SIR,-As no doubt you will receive from different quarters a description of a magnificent meteor, which must have been seen by many this evening, I will leave it to others to give a scientific account of the same. But as I, with two others, were fortunate enough to see the star actually start upon its fiery course, excuse an unscientific description, as none could have been more fortunate in an observation. Its first appearance was that of a bright star of the magnitude of Venus, travelling remarkably slowly, for such a body, in a slightly curved and downward course from north to west, leaving behind it a brilliant, fiery track, quite sufficient, had it been dark night, to have lighted up the whole country. One peculiar feature about it was the apparently slow rate at which it travelled, taking, as it seemed, some four or five seconds to accomplish its visible course, when it suddenly disappeared in the atmosphere, without any cloud to intercept its course, there being a clear sky with bright moonlight at the time. The star retained its brilliancy and apparent size to the last moment. Upon its disappearance we listened for a report, but heard none. About this time, 8.30 p.m., there were some most vivid and peculiar looking flashes of lightning, some appearing like large globes of fire just above the horizon. This storm lasted about two hours, when the sky, which had become clouded, cleared again, and about 10.30 there was another very striking meteor, which appeared to be about the size of Jupiter, without rays, or leaving any semblance of a track, as it shot in a rapid course downwards at right angles to the moon, having, as it seemed, started from just benenth it. These two brilliant meteors, appearing on the same night, remind us that we are now approaching the course of the falling stars. New Norfolk. Yours faithfully, SIDUS. October 30th. [We thank our correspondent for his interesting letter, the more especially that we have not heard of the meteors from any other source:-ED. M.
1873, Geelong Advertiser, Vic. : Mon 10 Nov 1873, A beautiful meteor was observed last evening about 9.30. It crossed in a direct course from east to west, emitting a pale blue flam e and leaving a bright track behind it, when it eventually burst into a thousand fragments of luminous matter and disappeared. The evening had previously been cloudy, but the sky at the time was perfectly clear, and so great was the: reflection that the streets of the town were momentarily lighted up as if by moonlight. Those who witnessed the meteor admit that it was one of the largest and most brilliant observed for a long time.
1874The Ballarat Star, Vic: Fri 13 Mar 1874, Avery beautiful meteor flew across the sky on Thursday night about nine o’clock. Its course was apparently due north‘and in the line of the meridian, the bright blue hub of the glare throwing out a long stream of light in a horizontal direction till lost to the eye In the northward flight of the aerolite.
1874, Illawarra Mercury, Wollongong, NSW : Tue 14 Apr 1874, Beautiful Meteor.— At about twelve minutes to 6 o'clock yesterday evening the most beautiful meteor we have ever had the pleasure of witnessing appeared in the western sky. It darted almost directly from north to south, at a considerable elevation above the horizon, and although daylight had scarcely declined to any extent at the time, the meteor appeared considerably larger and more brilliant than does the planet venus at its greatest brightness on a dark night. After being visible for a few seconds, the apparent body of the meteor vanished, leaving a long train of meteoric whiteness along its course, which clearly defined train was distinctly visible to the naked eye for a period of six minutes. We may remark that the sky was overcast at the time with still, hazy-looking clouds, in which the meteoric train appeared like a belt of brilliant light for the time mentioned. REPORT 2: The Recent Meteor. — The meteor referred to in our issue of the 14th instant as having been observed just after sunset on the previous day must have been one of the most wonderful objects of its character ever witnessed in the southern sky. The immense size and altitude of the meteor may be imagined to some extent by the fact that we have notice of its having been seen at Sydney and Mudgee, as well as here, at the same time, in clear daylight, and especially as it appeared in the western heavens, to observers at Mudgee, as it did here. — The Cudgegong correspondent of the ' Western Post' writes : — On Monday, 13th instant, a most remarkable meteor was seen in the western point of the heavens at an altitude of about thirty degrees, thence travelling horizontally towards the south and east. Its first appearance was that of a ball of fire about fifteen inches in diameter, of a light green color, and as it passed through the heavens at a slow pace left a long trail of stars, resembling a comet, which gradually decreased in brightness until the ball only remained, which continued on its course for several seconds. There is no doubt had it been dark instead of daylight it would have shown very brilliantly. REPORT 3: , DAYLIGHT METEOR. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. Sir,-In your issue of to-day there appears a notice of a remarkable meteor which was seen by the Cudgegong correspondent of the Western Post. I am happy to say that I was likewise fortunate enough to behold this stranger from the celestial universe : or if not the same, at all events one very similar to that described by the correspondent of the Post. Whether it was a true aerolite, or merely an ordinary bolide I am not in a position to say, but judging from appearances I should incline to the opinion that it was the former, and that its scattered particles fell into the sea. It was certainly the most brilliant meteor which it has ever been my pleasure to behold. For some time past I have been accustomed to observe celestial phenomena and have often enjoyed the rewards, which nature so bountifully beatows upon those who listen to her teachings. But I was never more amply rewarded for my sky-gazing propensities than on the evening of Monday, the 13th instant. I was riding home from the city, and was rising the hill on the Newtown Road, when my attention was suddenly arrested by a splendid meteor shooting with vast rapidity across the celestial vault. It travelled horizontally from west to east, and described a straight line, which gradually inclined to the earth. It had an apparent diameter of from 12 to 18 inches, but its real diameter must have exceeded that by many times ; as it was evidently at a considerable distance from the earth, and traversing the more rarified parts of our atmosphere, I should judge it to have had an elevation of about 50° from the southern horizon, and as I saw it, it appeared to be crossing Argo Navis into Centaurus, but was sensibly drawn downwards by the powerful attraction of the earth. After I caught the first glimpse of its appearance, it remained visible for about 30 seconds, and when detonation took place it seemed to burst from the centre, and scatter a shower of sparks all around. I cannot describe its intense brilliancy. It was quite daylight, being about twenty minutes to 6. The sun was just dipping the horizon, and under such conditions not only was the meteor visible, but it was luminously and intensely so. It burned with that peculiar lustre which metallic substances give when they are in an incandescent state. While I observed it there was no variation in its colour, save that each second its silvery whiteness seemed to glow with increasing heat, and it blazed with more dazzling brilliance until combustion took place ; when, in a moment, it passed from an incandescent into a gaseous state, its matter becoming vaporised by intense heat. As it approached vaporisation, I could only compare its brilliant white light to that which is emitted by the sun, and I should suppose its intense luminosity to have been produced by the rapid combustion of hydrogen. It is customary for aerolites to explode with a loud report ; but, although I distinctly saw the explosion, I did not catch the faintest echo of its detonation. Very probably it exploded at too great a distance from the earth for its sound to reach us. The atmosphere was at that moment transparent and clear, and the recent experiments of Professor Tyndall, with sound signals, would seem to favour the conclusion that sound is best convoyed through our atmosphere when the weather is thick and hazy. Had the meteor been visible two or three hours later, it would have presented a very brilliant appearance and it would likewise have been seen by many thousands of people. I am quite certain that its light would have exceeded that of the moon in intrinsic splendour ; and not only should we have had a magnificent display of celestial fireworks, but I am fully of opinion that at the moment of vaporization, and for a few seconds preceding it, the matter in process of combustion was of sufficient magnitude to have shed a sensible illumination over the city. I remain, Sir, yours very truly, M. Wesleyan Parsonage, Newtown, April 20th.
1874, The Express and Telegraph, Adelaide, SA : Thu 16 Apr 1874, On Friday evening last a starlike meteor, was observed shooting along the sky from east' to west. It had a -yery long tail, and did not appear to die out, but' was visible until the trees shut it from sight.
1874, Mount Alexander Mail, Vic. : Fri 17 Apr 1874, Last evening, about five minutes past nine, a magnificent meteor was observed in the northern sky. It first appeared very small, but as it progressed in its course across the sky it rapidly enlarged, till it appeared about the size of the moon and then as suddenly disapeared , leaving a long and luminnous train after it, marking its erratic course. -The light eminated was sufficiently strong to render objects at a distance distincily visible during the time it occupied in passing, which was about ten seconds.
1874, Rockhampton Bulletin, Qld.: Wed 20 May 1874, The Meteor (we will call it) made its visit at twilight in a south-westerly direction, at least one-third up in the sky, to all appearances circular in shape, as large as the moon when at its full, in colour blood red with a deep blue edge. For a few sccouds it remained stationary, then fell at a slow rate, perpendicularly, out of sight below the horizon, which occupied some nine seconds of time. Whilst in its course the circular form altered to that of a cone with a round bottom end, the blood red colour still forming a circle of the lower part, and the deep sulphurous blue the narrow upper end. In its track there was left a perfect pillar of fire, which for over three minutes (after the disappearance of the meteor itself) remained brilliantly visible ; thence from a vertical shape to that of a snakelike one it changed, displaying a phosphorescent light that took several minutes to fade completely away. But the most singular aspect of the matter is the fact that the after light remained as clear to the eye at top as at bottom, even to the last, whereas in ordinary meteors it is never so. At the time of its appearance, the evening was mild, fine, and cloudless, the moon shining brightly ; but the "stranger" for a time illuminated the whole heavens, and thereby put the moon entirely into the shade. In conclusion, it was the grandest scene that I have ever had the good fortune to witness in the heavens ; and, hoping to find this mysterious stranger's nature explained and accounted for by some one well versed in such matters, in haste, I am, &c., J. W. FLETCHER. Listowel Downs, Tambo, April 26, 1874.
1874, The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW: Thu 28 May 1874, On the morning of Wednesday, May 20th, at 8.15, when the Steamer Ballina was about four miles south of Smoky Cape, I observed a ball of fire about one-third of the diameter of the moon fall apparently from the end of a dense mass of clouds which extended from S.W. to W. The meteor was visible for about 4 seconds, and fell through an arc of 30° perpendicularly, and due west of the steamer. The motion was slower than that of any meteor I have ever seen before. When falling it seemed like a balloon coming down wrong end first, and a bright streak or mark was left in the sky, which remained visible for about half an hour. No explosion or noise was heard " H. C. RUSSELL. Sydney Observatory, 26th May.
1874, The Argus, Melbourne, Vic. : Sat 18 Jul 1874, THE Gulgong Evening Argus, of July 9, states that between 9 and 11 o'clock, on the evening of the 7th inst., a magnificent shower of meteors was seen at Gulgong. The day had been warm and genial, but in the even ing it was clear, cold, and frosty. A few vapoury clouds were hanging in the northern sky. During the time mentioned scarcely a moment passed without a falling star being seen. They fell from every quarter of the heavens. Some were much more brilliant than others.
1874, Launceston Examiner, Tas. : Thu 30 Jul 1874, METEOR. —A Latrobe correspondent writes :— "On Saturday evening, the 25th inst., at about fifteen minutes past 5 o'clock, and when very few stars were visible, a large meteor appeared in the western sky passing rapidly from north to south. It appeared to strike a line almost parallel with the horizon, and before it disappeared in the distance it burst into a number of brilliant lights. I am unable to describe the size of celestial objects, but if the appearance of this meteor had occurred after dark it would have been spoken of as something grand. Though it appeared in the western sky where the daylight was still lingering, it left a bright track of light several seconds after it burst in the south. I should like to learn whether this meteor was seen at Circular Head, and whether it appeared to be to the east or west of the spectator. Possibly your respected correspondent, Mr Emmett, may have seen it, and if so, he will give us the desired information." —We observe by the Southern papers that a very large meteor was seen at Hobart Town on Saturday night, but it is said "at late hour." The direction it took seems to have been about south-west.
1874, The Kyneton Observer, Vic. : Sat 15 Aug 1874, A beautiful meteor shot across the sky at Ballarat Wednesday night, traversing a distance of, apprently, about 300 feet.
1874, The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW : Tue 6 Oct 1874, ADELONG MONDAY. A most brilliant meteor fell in the eastern sky yesterday evening at forty minutes past 6 I extended over an arc of forty-five degrees, bursting about fifteen degrees above the horizon. The track of the meteor exhibited abroad ribbon of silver. It gradually became wavy and then vanished. It was a most beautiful sight.
1874, The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle, NSW : Wed 7 Oct 1874, CROOKWELL. (From our correspondent. EXTRAORDINARY METEOR.-On Sunday evening, at about a quarter to seven o'clock, a most extraordinary appearance was observed in the western sky, following a meteor of unusual brilliancy. A well-defined streak of brilliant silvery light remained visible after the flash of the meteor for nearly fifteen minutes. It was very zig-zag in shape, and extended from near the horizon, where its body was most brilliant, to about one quarter the distance to the senith. We have not met with a person who has seen or heard of such an appearance previously, and we await with much interest an explanation from astronomical of servers as to the meaning of the strange phenomenon. REPORT 2 :SINGULAR METEORIO PHENOMENON. — On Sunday evening at about thirty-two minutes after six, Sydney time, a meteor, extraordinary in its brilliancy, but more extraordinary from the appearance it left behind, was seen from Young and other 11 ices in this district. As seen from the town it made its appearance suddenly about S.S.W., about thirty-five degrees from the zenith, and travelled obliquely to the W.S.W., till it disappeared below the horizon, which here, on account of the hills, is considerably circumscribed. Following it was a luminous train, like the tail of a rocket, a portion of which, from fifteen to twenty degrees in length, the lovrerend of which was about tweaty degrees above the horizon, remained. In a second or two this train, which was at first straight, began to present several angles, not unlike a streak of forked lightning, the angles being obtuse, but at the same time sharply defined. Slowly it took a more wavy appearance, and at the same time the main direction of the line gradually inclined to the horizon, and when last seen it was an irregular wavy but perfectly defined slender line, lyingin a horizontal direction. The color of the meteor was a purple, but in appearance and color the traip might be. not inaptly, likened to such a mark as could be made by a phosphorous match in a darkened room, while the angles and sharpest curve presented some more highly luminous points. We observed it, watch in hand, for upwards of fourteen minutes, at the end of which time it was plainly perceptible, Let other persons who saw it state that nearly twenty minutes elapsed before its final disappearance. The sky at the time was perfectly clear, with the exception that there were a few small dark clouds to the northward. Towards the end of the time there was just a faint twilight; Venus was getting bright, and a few of the other stars were becoming faintly visible. We do not know to what the learned in such matters would ascribe this extraordinary appearance, but to us it seems probable that it was a streak of vapour created and left behind by the meteor in its passage, and which, from its great elevation, caught the last rays of the setting sun, long after they had ceased to shine upon this portion of the earth. Whatever might have been the cause it was certainly a strange and beautiful sight. A gentleman who saw it at Geraldra informs us that thero the meteor appeared to burst just before reaching the horizon, but the appearance of the train was similar to what was observed here. The phenomenon was also seen plainly at Cowra. Government Gazette, REPORT 3: The North Eastern Ensign, Benalla, Vic. : Fri 9 Oct 1874, AN EXTRAORDINARY METEOR.—Our Beechworth contemporary says that at about a quarter past 6 o'clock on Sunday evening last the inhabitants of Beechworth were treated to a most unusual and beautiful sight.. The sun had set, and the few minutes of twilight vouchsafed to us in Victoria were being enjoyed, when suddenly the sky in the N.N.W. was brilliantly lighted up as by a flash of lightning, lasting for some ten seconds. About 60 deg. above the horizon in the direction named, a brilliant and beautiful meteor made its appearance. Its head was somewhat larger in appearance than even that glorious planet Venus, and in color it was slightly more delicate if possible. It travelled very slowly almost perpendicularly to the earth. Behind, it left a magnificent silvery band, extending almost from where it started to the horizon. This was wavy in appearance, and at first looked much like a long string of silvery gos- samer floating in the air, and wafted by light zephyrs. It held its position long after the meteor had been lost sight of, and was watched for fully a quarter of an hour before it finally disappeared. Ever and again it changed its form until it assumed the shape of a gigantic snake. This appearance was wonderfully well defined; the head and even the protruding tongue of the snake could almost be detected at one time, while the body turned and wriggled in the most natural manner possible. There was not a cloud observable in the sky at the time, and so a magnificent view of the phenomenon was obtained. Altogether a more extraordinary meteor has never come under our notice. Had it fallen after darkness had fairly set in, the effect must have been truly wonderful, for even in the twilight its brilliancy made a most apparent effect. We have not heard of any one in Benalla having seen this strange phenomenon. REPORT 4: Queanbeyan Age, NSW : Sat 10 Oct, THE LATE METEOR.—The following description of the remarkable meteor which was seen in various parts of the southern district on Sunday evening last, is from a correspondent at Lanyon :—" A fine meteor was seen from Lanyon on the evening of Sunday, October 4, at about half-past six. It travelled almost due west; became visible about 40 degrees above the Western horizon, and exploded about 25 degrees above the same ; but its further course could not be traced, as the meteor at the instant of explosion, disappeared behind a hill. No report was heard. What is unusual about this meteor was the length of time during which the train that marked its course remained visible. This train appeared at first as a straight cloudy line, say 10 degrees long; it shortly assumed a cork-screwy form, and ultimately settled into a semi-circle like the letter C, the upper and lower portion having slightly advanced to- wards the north, while the convexity had considerably, moved towards the south. After ten minutes from the explosion this cloudy appearance began fading, and at the end of fifteen minutes was hardly visible. The meteor was travelling in the direction of Tumut, over which town it probably broke. Should it have been noticed there with tolerable attention, we might from the two observations, arrive at an approximate idea of its distance from the earth." Last Thursday afternoon, shortly before sunset another phenomenon was apparent in the same position as that of Sunday No meteor was seen ; but a remarkable dark serpentine cloud appeared in the otherwise cloudless sky, having the appearance of smoke from an explosion. It was comparatively near the earth, and after a few changes of form cleared away, and left no trace whatever behind it. Many are the predictions as to the consequences of the meteor of Sunday. An old blackfellow foretells unprecedented floods ; others a long drought. Themore superstitious say they could read characters in the tortuous trail of the meteor, reminding them of Nebuchadnezzar's writing on the wall. The Sydney papers report no appearance of the wonder there It appears to have been confined to the Southern districts. REPORT 5:, The Gundagai Times and Tumut, Adelong and Murrumbidgee District Advertiser, NSW : Sat 10 Oct , GUNDAGAI LOCAL NEWS. On Sunday evening last, about a quarter before 7 o'clock, a remarkable meteor was seen here in the western horizon. When first observed it was of a bright purple colour, seemed about the size of a cricket ball, and was travelling towards the north-west. This meteor on disappearing left behind it a long, rope-like trail, which was at first tolerably straight and of a bright flame colour. Afterwards it changed its shape and hue and showed like a silver serpent in the evening sky under the planet Venus. This strange appearance was visible for about quarter-of-an- hour before it finally faded away. No one here had before seen such a skyey phenomenon, and many conjectures were hazarded as to what it portended. Some of the "unco guid" felt assured that it was sent to warn sinners to repent, and other more worldly persons concluded that it indicated we are likely to have a hot, dry summer, basing their belief upon the fact that last spring, according to accounts received, meteoric appearances were very common in England, and that during the summer that has concluded there the thermometer sometimes stood at 120° in the sun, which is an unwontedly high temperature in the mother country. REPORT 6: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : Mon 12 Oct 1874, AN EXTRAORDINARY METEOR. (FROM THE OVENS AND MURRAY ADVERTISER, OCT. 6.) About a quarter past six o'clock on Sunday evening the inhabitants of Beechworth were treated to a most unusual and beautiful sight. The sun had set and the few minutes of twilight vouchsafed to us in Victoria were being enjoyed, when suddenly the sky in the N.N.W. was brilliantly lighted up as by a flash of lightning, lasting for some 10 seconds. About 60 degrees above the horizon in the direction named, a brilliant and beautiful meteor made its appearance. Its head was somewhat larger in appearance than even the glorious planet Venus, and in colour it was slightly more delicate if possible. It travelled very slowly almost perpendicularly to the earth, the angle being very slightly to the southward. Behind, it left a magnificent silvery band, extending almost from where it started to the horizon This was wavy in appearance, and at first looked much like a long string of silvery gossamer floating in the air, and wafted by light zephyrs. It held its position long after the meteor had been lost sight of, and was watched for fully a quarter of an hour before it finally disappeared. Ever and again it changed its form until it assumed the shape of a gigantic snake. This appearance was wonderfully well defined. The head and even the protruding tongue of the snake could almost be detected at one time, while the body turned and wriggled in the most natural manner possible. There was not a cloud observable in the sky at the time, and so a magnificent view of the phenomenon was obtained. Gradually it seemed to disappear to the northward, borne away evidently on a gentle breeze prevailing at the altitude where it was. Altogether a more extraordinary meteor has never come under our notice. Had it fallen after darkness had fairly set in, the effect must have been truly wonderful, for even in the twilight its brilliancy made a most apparent effect. Our Chiltern correspondent writes to say that the phonomenon was also observable there, and describes it much as above. The phenomenon was also noticed at Chiltern, Wagga Wagga, and other places at considerable distances apart.
1874, Launceston Examiner, Tas. :
Thu 12 Nov 1874, METEORIC PHENOMENA.-A correspon-
dent
residing in the Midland district writes as follows :-" On Sunday
night, at about a quarter to ten, being at Campbell Town, I saw a
vivid flash of light, and on looking towards the sky I noticed a
splendid meteor, a large ball of blue fire shot from the sky, and
burst on approaching the horizon, in a south-eastern direction. It
was a splendid sight; it was a dark night, but when the meteor
appeared it becaome as light as day. Then on Monday night I was down
at Ross, driving, and coming home at about 9 o'clock, as nearly as I
can tell, the horse gave a start, and the place became as light as
day. On glancing at the sky in the same direction as I had done on
Sunday night I beheld a splendid light. The sky seemed to open and
out dropped a ball of fire. It burst and spread itself over a great
distance, and then died out. Four minutes had not elapsed before
another meteor fell of exactly the same descriptions as the previous
one. It was a very dark night, not a star to be seen. I think these
appearances deserve some notice. Perhaps they were not seen in town.
The astronomers are busy taking observations. I expect we shall be
able to get a sight through their instruments soon."
1874, The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW : Mon 14 Dec 1874, BRILLIANT METEOR. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. Sir,-As I was coming down thw hill in Hunter-street, between Castlereagh-street and Pitt-street, at thirty-three minutes past 10 p.m. on Friday, I observed the most brilliant meteor I ever witnessed, sweeping across the heavens, in a direction from N. to S., and (which is most unusual) in a path very nearly parallel with the plane of the horizon, and apparently about 35° to 40° above the horizon. It was visible fully five seconds, and its course was comparatively slow-slower than any I ever observed. It had a comet-like tail, and seemed, as it swept along across nearly the whole of that portion of the sky which was vivible to me between the face of the Sydeny Morning Herald block on the one hand and the Union Bank on the other hand, to increase in brilliancy until arriving at a stage of the most intense incandescence, it burst in a grand celestial pyrotechnic display and was lost. It would be interesting to know whether any of its fiery constituents reached the earth, for it seemed to me that such a burning mass could not all be mere gas, or of a volatile character. Yours truly, H. N. HARRISON.
1875, Empire, Sydney, NSW : Wed 6 Jan 1875, One of our staff, while in Newcastle on Saturday last (says the Maltlond Mercury) saw a very beautiful double meteor in the western sky, about half-psst ten o'clock. It made its appearance at a point about thirty-degrees above the horizon, and due west, and when first seen was a single body, only much larger than ordinary meteors, but it soon broke into two distinct bodies, which kept close company till they disappeared. The direction traversed was northerly. The leading body was the smaller of the two ; the larger, or main body, being fringed by a beautiful pink tînt, and followed by a train of sparks. There was an oscillating motion observable between the two meteors as they passed through the heavens that gave them a peculiarly interesting appearance. The phenomenon was in sight for about twelve seconds, and during that time the earth was illuminated as if by a very bright skyrocket. The meteor was also seen in Maitland, and we heard it remarked upon as being exceedingly beautiful, and of a character very rarely witnessed.
1875, The Argus, Melbourne, Vic. : Tue 16 Feb 1875, A very brilliant meteor was seen at Inglewood in the sky on Monday evening, travelling behind the heavy clouds. Attention was first called to it by the very bright white light it diffused.
1875, Mount Alexander Mail, Vic. : Wed 31 Mar 1875, A magnificent meteor shot across the northern sky last evening about nine o'clock.; It appeared to descsnd in an oblique line from the bright star a Cassiopea, aiid was followed by a luminous tail much resembling that emitted by a sky rocket. The head gradually increased in size and brilliancy as it apparently neared the earth, and before disappearing; appeared to: break; into .fragments. One, most singular! feature in this meteor was that the'luminosity appeared visible like a : thin streak of light for fully two minutes after the main body had disappeared from view, and by many was mistaken for a comet. REPORT 2: The Gippsland Mercury states that "Tuesday night, between 9 and 10 o'clock, beautiful meteor was observed in the northern heavens. The meteor shot rapidly from th west, and, when apparently right over the town, appeared to stop suddenly. It took form resembling a water-lily, and then hrok into fragments. The reflection remained I the sky for several seconds afterwards." REPORT 3: The 'Creswick Advertiser adds :—Its direction was north-west, and it lasted fully three minutes, leaving a luminous streak observable for some time.
1875, Mount Alexander Mail, Vic. : Fri 9 Apr 1875, Yesterday morning about 5 o'clock, a little before daylight, a most magnificent meteor shot across the sky; ' the direction, appeared to be from west to east, in an almost straight line. So brilliant, was the stranger that objects at a considerable distance were distinctly, visible ; . and in size it resembled a huge ball of fire more than anything else as it sailed majestically along. The tail was, like the meteor of the 30th inst., visible for some considerable time after the neucleus or head had disappeared ; in appearance it resembled, a thin streak was decidedly the prettiest meteor which has been seen here for the past two or three years. It appeared to break into fragments on reaching the eastern horizon like a huge rocket into myriads of sparkling light's.
1875, The Argus, Melbourne, Vic. : Fri 16 Apr 1875, A REMARKABLE METEOR. A meteor of extraordinary size and brilliancy was observed yesterday morning about half-past 12 o'clock. (15th April, 1875). It travelled across the sky from the south-western horizon towards the east, and described almost the entire arc. It is described by several persons who saw it as being in size nearly as large as the full moon. It was of a bluish green colour, and was followed by a long train of golden stars extending over several degrees. Before it disappeared a flash of flame was emitted from the body of the meteor, which then diminished in size and went out. It was in view fully 20 seconds. The phenomenon appears to have been observed in all parts of the colony and appended we give the accounts of several observers :- An observer at Toorak says that he saw the meteor at about 25 minutes past 12. It seemed to loom forth from a hazy bank of cloud about 20deg. altitude from the western horizon and then appeared about four times the diameter of Jupiter. It made right across the zenith, but before reaching it, it gave forth a brilliant shower of fiery coloured spheres which like itself, each "coming through heaven like a light that grows larger and clearer" remained some seconds, until a train was formed stretching over perhaps 50deg. or 60deg., when the meteor exploded with a distant yet audible sound at an altitude of about 20deg. or 30deg. from the eastern horizon, having traversed almost the whole sky in a direct line from west to east, and been visible so long as to enable several persons to be called out in time to see a great part of its progress. Mr. Alfred Dennis, writing from St, Kilda, says that he saw it a few minutes past 12 from the verandah of the Village Belle Hotel. "Looking towards the sea, I saw a ball of fire rise as if from the water. In size it appeared about 18in., of an egg shape and it glided so slowly that I called out others to witness it. A number of small balls broke away and followed in the same course, forming a train. The colour was a bright blue. The meteor rose in the south-west and disappeared in the north-east and was visible about 30 seconds." Another observer, writing from Anderson's Creek, says he saw the meteor at 25 minutes to 1 a.m. in the western horizon. It suddenly shot eastward at a great rate, and as it approached the north the tail increased in length, and then suddenly broke into small fragments, each fragment appearing about the size of a 6in. piece of metal. They appeared like so many balls of fire. As the meteor neared the east the broken tail gradually disappeared. The meteor itself was visible about a minute, and after it had disappeared it left a streak of light in the heavens, which remained for some time. The meteor was followed instantly by a clap of thunder. Our Avoca correspondent says :- A very large and brilliant meteor was observed on Thursday morning at 20 minutes past 12, nearly as large as a full moon. It appeared like a large ball of fire in the west, and travelled direct to the east-ward. After passing a short distance it burst, and about 50 small balls of fire appeared, which followed in its course. It was the grandest sight that has been witnessed for some time. After the meteor appeared, a noise was heard like the discharge of heavy artillery in the south." REPORT 2: The M.A. Mail writes :- "One of the finest meteors ever seen in this colony passed from the south-western horizon towards the east about half-past 12 o'clock this (Thursday) morning. It first appeared like a small point, and gradually progressing east, it increased in bulk and intensity till it became apparently as large as a full moon, but far more brilliant. On reaching the zenith it broke into fragments, and from this spot to the eastern horizon it was followed by a long train of large, bright sparkles, much the same as a bomb-shell (firework). On nearing the horizon the ball of fire again burst, and then disappeared. This was decidedly the prettiest spectacle which has been witnessed for a long time. Another, but smaller, meteor was visible a few minutes before this one, but in a different direction." REPORT 4: A SPLENDID METEOR. Some time since we recorded the appearance of a beautiful meteor that appeared early one Sunday evening in the North-Western sky, but that one was positively eclipsed by one that appeared about twenty minutes after midnight on Wednesday night. The brilliancy and peculiar characteristics of this phenomenon were uuparrallelled in our experience, aud one might live a long life time and not witness such another glorious exhibition. At the time of its appearance the moon was just sinking in the west and darkness was commencing. There was not a cloud to be seen iu the sky, and there was a strange sense of stillness, there not being sufficient air to move a leaf. Suddenly to the W.SW. A bright light appeared. This appeared to rise from the horizon, but this appearance was no doubt caused by the fact that it was rapidly travelling towards the town. It appeared to be about the size of the moon as it ordinarily appears when at full, but it was infinitely brighter, and presented the appearance at first of a ball of pale bluish fire, shedding a marvellous lustre all around, resembling in some respects an exhibition of electric light. It moved on until it appeared to be above the hills to the west of Newtown and then seemed to burst, shedding a flood of brilliant sparks which had a fiery tint. The nebula, if that term may be used to describe the main body of the meteor, did not burst entirely, but continued on its coarse right over the town, throwing off in its passage varf showers of the same kind of sparks which did not appear to travel but remained stationary, presenting the appearance of an enormous fiery tail attached to the beautiful pale bluish head. The meteor kept on its course, travelling as steadily as possible at about the pace of a crow when flying in a direct line. It was making from the W.S.W. To E.N.E., and passed directly over the town, so that in watching it one had to look straight up. It did not seem to he more than a few hundred feet above the surface of the earth. Its gorgeous tail seemed to extend in a great band of red sparks right over Beechworth. The meteor gradually begun to lose its dimensions, the sparks that were repeatedly being thrown out evidently affecting its extent, although but slowly. It travelled over the Red Brill, and gradually assumed the red colour of the tail, and finally disappeared as a small round red star. The tail remained for some little time, but slowly faded away, and then all was once more dark or still for a minute or two. After the lapse of that time a scries of loud reports, resembling somewhat the, rapid discharge of very heavy artillery as heard from a great distance, were noticed. Many thought that this was thunder, bnt as there was no cloud to he seen, it could hardly he so, being too loud to admit of the hypothesis that it was the report of electric discharges from clouds that were not visible. Others, again, thought that the sounds bore a resemblance to that produced by a shock of an earthquake. In connection with this meteor it may be remarked that it was extraordinary, not only from its appearance, but from the nature of its movements. It appeared to be independent of the law of gravitation, and travelled in a direct line at a very low altitude, aud parallel with the earth's surface. Altogether it was one of the most remarkable sights we have ever witnessed. A correspondent thus describes the phenomenon : — " At about 20 minutes past 12 o'clock on Thursday morning lust a most extraordinary phenomenon appeared in the western heavens, about 20 degrees above tho horizon. "When first observed it appeared to be nearly as large as the moon, and lit up the whole heavens with a light somewhat like that given out by the combustion of aluminium. After apparently standing for a few seconds, the meteor burst somewhat as a rocket would, but giving out a shower of sparks equal to about 50 rockets. Thou what might he called the main body of the meteor took its way slowly across the heavens till it was lost in the eastern horizon, its whole path being marked by sparks dropping from it in large numbers. The meteor passed over Beechworth from west to east, and at a very low altitude. In about a minute after it disappeared a low rumbling noise, as of distant thuuder, was heard travelling along the path of the meteor. At the time the heavens were beautifully clear, not a cloud to be seen, nor a breath of wind stirring. All those who saw this wonderful appearance say that no earthly pyrotechnic display could equal it in beauty and grandeur." REPORT 5: A meteor of extraordinary brilliancy was observed in Kyneton at about half-past 12 on Thursday morning. It appearance almost simultaneously illuminated every object for a considerable distance around, aud many were startled by the sudden transition from darkness into intense light. This is the second meteor which has been observed in Kyneton within the last eight days. We notice from our exchanges that the meteor was seen in many other parts of the colony. The "Argus" says it travelled across the sky from the south-western horizon towards the east, and described an almost entire arc. It was described by several persons who saw it to be in size nearly as large as a full moon. It was of a bluish green color, and was followed by a long train of golden stars extending over several degrees. Before it disappeared a flash of flame was emitted from the body of the meteor, which then diminished in size and went out. It was in view fully 20 seconds! The phenomenon appears to have been observed in all parts of the colony.
1875, Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : Wed 28 Apr 1875, A VERY large and beautiful meteor was observed here on Sunday evening shortly after 8 o'clock. It was in the northern sky, and its course was nearly east to west.
1875, The Tasmanian (Launceston, Tas. : Sat 26 Jun 1875, A, splendid meteor was witnessed here by many'1 persons on Monday evening between the hours of eight and nine. It sailed magnificently across the eastern sky, and was visible for. some 20 seconds. Its direction was from north to south, And its brilliant coloring was in fine contrast to the comparatively, feeble light of the moon, though little pass the full.
1875, Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA : Sat 17 Jul 1875, A VERY brilliant meteor was seen here on Wednesday between 5 and 6 p.m., flying across the north-eastern sky.
1875, Evening News (Sydney, NSW : Sat 31 Jul 1875, Appearance of a Meteor. A correspondent informs us that at twenty minutes past 11 o'clock last night, he witnessed a very brilliant meteor pass across the sky from north-west to the south-east. Another person states that he saw something like a spark, closely resembling a meteor, pass through the air at the time stated, in a south by east to south by west direction. That is from the Magellan cloud to the Flying Fish. At the time the sky was clear and the weather beautifully fine.
1875, Gippsland Mercury (Sale, Vic. : Tue 14 Sep 1875, On Saturday week last, between 9 and 10 o'clock, a gentleman in Foster-street; observed a magnificent meteor, which shot along the sky from the south-east to the north-west. When about 50 deg. from the horiion, and apparently just ever the police paddock, the meteor burst into countless fragments of many colours.
1875, The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : Thu 6 Jan 1876, A few weeks ago, during midnight, in company with a friend, we were struck with the numerous meteors that were passing along the Heavens, the sky being cloudless. This was followed a day or two afterwards with extraordinary boisterous weather similar, in some respects to its character at the present moment.-I am, &.c., Northcote, Jan. 5. C. F. BRADLY.
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