[meteorite-list] NPA 08-17-1857 Baghdad Surprize Meteor Shower and Meteor Report

[MARK BOSTICK]

Paper: Adams Sentinel
City: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Date: Monday, August 17, 1857
Page: 2 (of 4)

     Extraordinary Meteor. - Letters from Baghdad announce an extraordinary 
fall of rain on the 14th at that place, which, from its bloody hue, gave the 
surrounding country the appearance of a battle-field. The meteor seen at 
Malta on the 14th of June was likewise observed on the day throughout Syria 
and Palestine; and letters from Terbixond, Samsoun, Sinope, Constantinople 
and Smyrna, report a heavy fall of rain, and tempestuous weather on that 
day, to the great alarm of the inhabitants, who had for some weeks been 
anxiously looking out for the comet crash. The evening of the 13th of June 
was the remarkable meteor and whirlwind in New York.

(end)

This is somewhat funny as it appears the locals were waiting for a comet to 
come, then were startled to a "great alarm" when a meteor shower happened. 
1857 seems pretty late not to know the connection between comets and meteor 
showers to me.

That's all for today. I collect maybe five times what I post on here or on 
my website, but try to post the one's that might have the most general 
interest.

Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
Wichita, Kansas
www.meteoritearticles.com