A little ramble through the Astronomical Register March 1864 - Kappa Cancri

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ASTRONOMICAL REGISTER.

 Sir, -May I submit the following suggestion (if not already made), as a possible explanation of the gradual disappearance of Kappa Cancri, which has been again noticed in your columns. During an occultation of Jupiter some years since, a part of his disc was seen partially obscured, as if by a collection of vapour in a lunar hollow. If Kappa Cancri were occulted by such a " fog - sea, " it appears to me that its gradual disappearance would be accounted for, and also the variation in its duration, according to the aperture used, the larger aperture allowing the star to be seen through a thicker stratum of fog. Of course, to an observer so situated as to see the occultation at a solid part of the moon's disc, it would appear instantaneous as usual. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

Oxford, Jan. 7th, 1864. 

W. H. WHEELER.

 

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