2-982-467 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Telescopic Appearances of Donati's Comet, as seen from the Cambridge Observatory, Sept. 27, 7p.m, 1858. 'As it but seldom happens that such a favourable opportunity occurs for examining the changes which take place in the head and nucleus of a large comet approaching to and receding from the sun as in the magnificent object which has just disappeared from sight, a few particulars respecting those may not be misplaced in the columns of the Illustrated London News...A remarkable change too place in the nucleus on Sept. 27, when, instead of the planetary disc which it hitherto exhibited, it had dwindled down to a very bright stellar point, with a very brilliant and well-defined crescent of light immediately above, and attached to it, and which might very readily be mistaken for a phase. This was altogether separated from the bright margins of the head and tail by a broad and very dark interval.' From "Illustrated London News", 1858.