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Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1985-12-11, Page 6Poge 6 Times -Advocate, December 11, 1985 Wonderof the universe Went to Toronto, over the weekend, to see Halley's Comet, and I hate to admit it but I fell asleep. Of course, it wasn't the genuine comet I was viewing, only a simulated presenta- tion at the McLaughlin Planetarium Before comets were explained by scientists, they were greatly feared and believed to be omens of terrible things to come. In 1456, Halley's Com- et frightened everyone in Europe so much that the Church added a new It Seems to me... by Gwyn Whilsmith ......Www:.....:+�!*!�!�!+'.**.:................................. ............ . which examined the history, science, superstitions and secrets of many celestial travellers, including Halley's which is in the news right now. If you've been to the planetarium you know you view the show on a huge dome -like ceiling that resembles the night sky in infinite detail. In com- plete darkness you lie in comfortable reclining chairs and watch the course of the stars and planets to the soothing voice of the commentator. It was so hypnotic that 1 kept drifting off, despite the interest of the subject, and was embarrassed that I might be the only one snoozing until I heard the gentle snoring of the person „sitting next to me. Later, as we were leav- ing, I caught several others confess- ing they'd interspersed the show with a little nap. One of our friends has been to the presentation, "The Return of Halley's Comet," three times, and figures he's finally seen the whole thing between his little snoozes. Well, I can't say I caught it all, but 1 saw enough to realize that comets trailing across the sky have fascinated the inhabitants of earth for centuries. According to historical records, Halley's Comet was seen as far back as 240 B.C., but people believed that these phenomena.occur- red by chance and with no set path. Edmund Halley (1656-1742) came up with the view that comets belonged to the solar system. and took definite paths around the sun at regular inter- vals. He believed that the comet he saw pass in 1682 had been seen, and would continue to be seen every 77 (more or less) years, and predicted it would come again in 1859. He was right, and although he wain't around to witness it, the comet was named after him. ' We're told that Halley's Comet is really just a big, dirty snowball with a tail of escaping gases and meteoritic materials streaming off in- to space. Some snowball. Some tail. Although many comets are indiscer- nible to the naked eye, or may only appear as hazy glowing balls in the sky, they are, in fact, as large or larger than the earth, with tails that can measure 100,000,000 miles long. Sorority told of Senegal Elaine Bogart was hostess for Alpha Tau's meeting November 5 - assisted- by June Essery. A brief business meeting was conucted by President Donna Jones. Elaine in- troduced guest speakers for the even- ing, Mr. and Mrs. charle Smith -They told about their experiences on their trip to Senegal, Africa, to visit Peter Frayne and his family. They also showed photographs of the area. Lunch was served by the committee in charge. The evening was com- pleted with an auction by the Ways and Means Committee. November 26 Alpha Tau attended a social function sponsored by their sister chapter, Beta Theta. Everyone found the talk on Styles by Ruth Im- anse very interesting and infor- mative. A delicious lunch was served. The Christmas meeting of the com- bined four chapters was held December 2nd at the Masonic Hall. Secret Pal Christmas Gifts were ex- changed. Carol -Miller of Millers Barn demonstrated the art of Stenciling. Lunch was served by the Social Com- mittees of the four chapters. • Seniors have festive meal The Exeter senior citizens held their meeting December 2 at the Legion Hall. at which 113 seniors enr- joyed a Christmas dinner served by the Legion Ladies Auxilliary. Following dinner president Ruby Beaver opened the meeting by welcoming everyone and extending Christmas greetings. A letter was read from the Ministry of Health regarding the new Prescrip- tion Drug. Cast Regulation Act, which he introduced earlier this month to the ()ntario Legislature. The membership committee book will be revised for the coming year. Current mettbership is 109. Birthdays and anniversaries were acknowledged. The January meeting will be Monday January 6 at 1 p.m. Cards for an hour and meeting com- mencing at 2 p.m. The program was chaired by Pat Skinner and consisted of readings by Marj Arthur. numbers by the United Church quartet. Pat Skinner, Car- frey ('ann. Bob Russell and Peter Aunger. Throughout the program Pat read some comic observations. A sing song of Christmas carols were enjoyed. Moses, on Mount Sinai. looking up- ward: "Maybe 1'd better deliver just the first ten now and see how it goei down." prayer to be saved "from the comet." Even at its last sighting in 1910, there were those who predicted dire conse- quences, including the end of the world, and some poor souls were bilk- ed into buying pills to guard against its ill effects. Comets travel around the sun and are only seen when they come bet- ween the sun and earth. In 1910, Halley's Comet game as close to the earth as it ever will„and people liv- ing then experienced the • most wonderful sight of a giant star with a great tail stretealing about two thirds the distance from the horizon to the sky overhead. My:Aunt Marion ex- perienced that event when she was ten, and still remembers the thrill of it. Unfortunately, the present return of Halley's Comet is far less spectacular because its path (ellipse) is much far- ther from earth. If we're lucky, next spring, we may see a faint, unfamiliar glow in the sky for a few nights, but that's about all. Still, even though scientists have dispelled all the superstitions about comets, they're fascinating by the very nature of their reappearance at such specific times. Halley's Comet period is 77 years, while it is reckon- ed that Cgnati's Comet, which was first recorded in 1858, will not return for another two thousand years. On the other hand Encke's Comet returns every three and one third years. • All of this, it seems to me, is just further proof that our universe just didn't happen, but was planned with infinite care, by a Higher Being with supreme intelligence. ARTISTIC PAUSE — Taking a brief break from their labours in transforming the Exeter Post Office wl. dows into Christmas cards are SHDHS art students Darlene Daley, (left), Kathy Robbins, Liz Hogan, Tad Genttner, Noreen Riley, Carol Peebles and Steve Dalrymple. SANTA SAYS... - There Are 5 REASONS c.:0? 1. GIFT SELECTION 2. VALUE 3. CONVENIENCE GIFT...SELECT1ON * GAMES * BRIGHAM PIPES * BOOKS * HARDCOVER * PAPERRACRS * FISHER -PRICE TOYS. * MODEL KITS - JIGSAW PUZZLES ,4r GIFTWARE LIGHTERS TILLEY LEATHER WALLETS * CHILDREN'S. BOOKS * DAKIN PLUSH TOYS GIFT WRAP & CHRISTMAS CARDS f , VALUE OSI. BOXED CHRISTMAS CARDS 200/. OFF Selected Designs '/, Of! -TIMEX WATCHES 0 % OFF Including the NEWEST QUARTZ DESIGNS H.O. Scat• RAIN & ROADRACE 0%OFF SETS SPICIA13 IN EFFECT UNTIL TUaDAY, DECEMBER 17 ONLY Selected Men's & Ladies TILLEY LEATHER WALLETS 25, OFF (Ind of linos & clearouts only. Doesn't Include regular merchandise) Plastic & Salsa Wood Cy MODEL KITS OFF CONVENIENCE OPEN EVENINGS til 9 P.M. STARTING Mon. Dec. 16 till Christmas For all your Christmas convenience Something for Everyone all ander one roofl 1\-/,0-1 ALL •GIFTWRA Specially Reduced NOW Until December \ ..� 24_ IOtAL STOCKING STUFPIKS Muppets•Go`ets•Huggy Bunch Plastic Cereal Bowls/Mugs/Glasses Reg. $2.39 ea. NOW ONLY '1.79/ACH save EXETER 235-4202 we Accept •