2-982-462 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Donati's Comet, as seen from the Cambridge Observatory, on October 11, 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...On the night of Oct. 11 it presented much the same appearance as on the 9th, with the exception that two bright rays were noticed as proceeding from the nucleus, which projected halfway across the luminous fantail'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.