2-982-382 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Donati's Comet, as seen from Greenwich Park, [London], Sept. 17, 7.30p.m., 1858. 'Although the present comet is a mere dwarf compared with others (its tail measuring only fifteen millions of miles), yet it has caused some sensation within the last week or two as being one of the few which have been visible to the naked eye of late years...On the evenings of the 15th, 16th, and 17th of September it was seen to great advantage...The nucleus was very bright and exceedingly sharply defined, and resembled Venus at the time of superior conjunction with the Sun. In the opposite direction to the tail there was a faint, fanlike brush of light proceeding from the nucleus...At intervals a crescent-shaped horn was visible on each side of the nucleus; it was rather brighter than any other portion of the comet (with the exception of the nucleus)...The tail was bent slightly towards the east, and, as is generally noticed, the convex side was much brighter than the concave. The direction of the tail was almost due north, and the tail extended to a length of four degrees. Notwithstanding the full moon, the comet was a most brilliant object on the night of the 21st, and the tail could be traced for a considerable distance'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.