A little ramble through 19th century astronomy - Mira Ceti in 1779

Nature July 6 th 1876 Mira Ceti Reference is often made in treatises on astronomy to the unusual degree of brilliancy attained by this variable star at the maximum of 1779. From the observations of Bode, Herschel and Wargentin, we have the following particulars of the augmentation and diminution of brightness in that year. Aug 22 – Invisible in an ordinary 2 feet telescope Sept 8 – Seen with the…