A little ramble through 19th century astronomy - Observing Encke's comet in 1871

It may interest those who possess small telescopes to know that Encke's  comet is now within the range of instruments of moderate aperture. On November 10^th, 1871, I had a very satisfactory view of it, with a 4-inch equatorial by Cooke; no signs of a nucleus were observed, but there appeared to be a slight condensation pf light on the following side of the comet.

Thomas G Elger

Bedford

November 10^th, 1871

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