2-791-593 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The New Comet! Discovered on Sunday last, September, 1844. The comet was discovered by '...Mr. Melhop, of Hamburgh...We lost no time in endeavouring to procure for our readers a correct drawing of its appearance, but owing to the continuance of cloudy and hazy weather, we were not able till late on Wednesday night to get a view of sufficient clearness for the purpose. At that time, favoured by the assistance of Sir James South, and the use of his powerful instruments, we succeeded in getting the sight from which the accompanying cut has been made. The comet appeared to be composed of a brilliant well defined nucleus, four or five seconds diameter, and a broad luminous tail of about two degrees in length'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol I.