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ASTRONOMICAL PHOTOGRAPHY 315
with the surrounding stars. He considers that if this be carried out at a number of observatories over a long continued period of time, some very definite information may be so obtained of the figure of the earth.
Another method for obtaining such photographs has been brought forward by E. H. Wade.1
Nebulce and Comets. — Mention must also be made of the excellent service rendered by photography in the work on nebulae and comets.
Every one is more or less familiar with the beautiful photographs which have been obtained of the various well-known nebulae, but it may be as well to mention just one fact which has been brought out in this manner.
The nebula in Orion is of such enormous extent that one can scarcely grasp the dimensions of it, and at the same time it is by no means of a compact, regular form. Yet no change has been observed in the outlines even of the less conspicuous parts since photographic records were first taken some thirty years ago.
In the photography of comets it must be remembered that these heavenly bodies have such a large proper motion that the telescope must be made to follow them by moving it by hand. The stars therefore make short trails on the plate owing to this, and these trails of course indicate the direction in which the comet is moving among the stars.
In 1908 there was a small comet which was at times just visible to the naked eye. Although relatively few persons actually saw this comet, a very large number became more or less acquainted with it through current literature. It was discovered by Mr Morehouse of the Yerkes Observatory on September 1, 1908, and hence is usually spoken of as Morehouse's Comet, although it is officially designated Comet c, 1908.
When discovered it appeared as a very conspicuous
1 R.A.S. Notices, Dec. 1905.