as thirteen, twenty-one, and seventeen light years. The weight of authority seems to favour the latter estimate.[1]
No account of the stars in the constellation Cassiopeia would be complete without a reference to the wonderful temporary star that flashed out in this region of the sky in November, 1572, astonishing the world. It was visible in full daylight, and said to be brighter than the planet Venus. It has been long known as "Tycho's Star," and many conclude from this that it was discovered by the celebrated astronomer Tycho Brahe, but as a matter of fact it was discovered by Schuler, at Wittenberg in Prussia, who saw the star faintly Aug. 6, 1572. Tycho Brahe saw it at its brightest Nov. 11th of the same year, and in 1602 published an account of the star. Other names for this star are "Stranger or Pilgrim Star," "Star in the Chayre," and "New Venus." The Chinese called it "the Guest Star," and Beza thought it was a comet, or the same luminous appearance that guided the Magi, the so-called "Star of Bethlehem."
In March, 1574, the star disappeared entirely. D'Arrest found a minute star of the 10-11th magnitude near this place in 1865 where Argelander could formerly see none. There is some idea that a bright star appeared in this place in the years 945 and 1264 a.d. If so says Webb,[2] we may possibly witness a repetition of this incomprehensible phenomenon.
La Place says: "As to those stars which suddenly shine forth with a very vivid light, and then immediately disappear, it is extremely probable that great conflagrations, produced by extraordinary causes, take place on their surface. This conjecture is confirmed by their change of colour, which is analogous to that presented to us on the
