Results of Observations made by the Rev. F. Fallows, at the Cape of Good Hope, in the years 1829-30-31.
Produced under the superintendence of G. B. Airy, Esq., Astronomer Royal.
This important work, containing the earliest fruits of the Cape Observatory; and, while the first, at the same time some of the most valuable contributions to Southern Astronomy,—has been received too late to allow us to do more than barely mention the titles in the present number.
We are tempted, however, to extract the following short notice of a remarkable meteor; because it tends to establish the connection so very much wanted between shooting-stars on the one hand, and meteorites, or meteor-stones, on the other hand. The phenomenon in question had a something of the characteristics of each, but was more of the nature of the latter body, in which case the mere fact of its appearing at the epoch of the shooting-stars, maybe considered in some degree significant of a connection, more especially when confirmed by a second instance in another year; while, moreover, the November period of shooting-stars had not then been suspected; and these two observations not only serve to confirm that period, but also to give the retrogression of the nodes of the orbit, which has been suspected.
P. S.
Mr Fallows to the Secretary of the Admiralty.
Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope,
November 9, 1829.
"Sir,—The inclosed document was drawn up at my request, by Captain Ronald. At the moment the first explosion took place (ten in the evening), I was writing in a room adjacent to that of the Transit, and imagined from the loudness of the report that it might be a signal of distress from some vessel in Table Bay. Shortly after, perhaps four or five minutes, for I cannot be certain, having no suspicion of what had been observed in the Transit-room, I heard a second report, but it was somewhat fainter than the former. This phenomenon has been noticed at Simon's Town, Stellenbosch, and beyond Koe‑berg.[85]—I have, &c.,
“Fearon Fallows.”
(INCLOSURE.)