The story of the sun, moon, and stars . nd the second, which appearedin the summer, was visible for a considerable timebefore sunset. In 1532, the people of Milan werealarmed by the appearance of a star in the broad day-light ; and as Venus was not then in a position to bevisible, the object is inferred to have been a Brahe discovered the comet of 1577, from hisobservatory in the isle of Huene, in the sound, beforesunset; and Chizeaux saw the comet of 1744, at oneoclock in the afternoon, without a telescope. The comet of 1843, already referred to in a previouschapter, was distinctl
The story of the sun, moon, and stars . nd the second, which appearedin the summer, was visible for a considerable timebefore sunset. In 1532, the people of Milan werealarmed by the appearance of a star in the broad day-light ; and as Venus was not then in a position to bevisible, the object is inferred to have been a Brahe discovered the comet of 1577, from hisobservatory in the isle of Huene, in the sound, beforesunset; and Chizeaux saw the comet of 1744, at oneoclock in the afternoon, without a telescope. The comet of 1843, already referred to in a previouschapter, was distinctly seen at noon by many personsin the streets of Bologna without the aid of glasses. 246 MORE ABOUT COMETS AND METEORITES. 247 The nucleus is generally of small size, but the sur-rounding nebulosity, which forms the head, is often ofimmense extent; and the hazy envelope, the horridhair of poetry, is sometimes seen separated from itby a dark space, encircling it like a ring. This wasthe aspect of the comet of 1811. The entire diameter of. THE GREAT COMET OF l8ll. the head measured 1,250,000 miles, and hence its bulkwas nearly three times that of the sun, and four mil-lion times that of the earth. But such extraordinarydimensions are quite exceptional. Popular impressions respecting the supposed ter-restrial effects of the comet of 1811—a fine object inthe autumn of that year, long remembered by many—are on record. It was gravely noted, that wasps 248 STORY OF THE SUN, MOON, AND STARS. were very few in number; that flies became blind,and disappeared early; and that twins were born morefrequently than usual. The season was remarkablefor its bountiful harvest and abundant vintage. Grapes,figs, melons, and other fruits, were not only producedin extraordinary quantity, but of delicious flavor, sothat comet wines had distinct bins allotted to themin the cellars of merchants, and were sold at highprices. There is, however, no fact better attested, bya comparison of observations, tha
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