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1861 Punch Dinosaurs & Comet cartoon 1861 Punch Dinosaurs & Comet cartoon

1861 Punch Dinosaurs & Comet cartoon 1861 Punch Dinosaurs & Comet cartoon


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1861 Punch Dinosaurs & Comet cartoon 1861 Punch Dinosaurs & Comet cartoon

From Punch 41 (1861) page 34, July. " The age of the comet ascertained to a nicety. The antediluvians recognise an old acquantance of A.M. 1372". Prehistoric reptiles (modelled after Waterhouse Hawkins Crystal Palace reconstructions at Sydenham), stare through telescopes at " the Great Comet of 1861". The comet was visible to the naked eye for three months in that year. The comet is now formally designated C/1861 J1 or 1861 II. The cartoon supposes the dinosaurs saw the same periodic comet during their reign on earth. This comet came within 0.1326 AU of the Earth - during which time the earth was within the Comet tail. By day the comets gas and dust even dimmed the sun. The cartoon gains poignance in light of the comets near approach and recent theories about the dinosaurs demise. The closest dinosaur is modelled after Hyaeolosaurus, mid distance Teleosaurus, furthest away iguanodon

Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations

Media ID 6318843

© PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Asteroid Black And White Caricature Cartoon Comet Cretaceous Crystal Palace Dinosaur Extinction Humour Iguanodon Mass Extinction Punch Sydenham Telescope Victorian Alvarez Mono Chrome


EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a fascinating moment in history, as depicted by the renowned Punch magazine in 1861. The cartoon humorously portrays prehistoric reptiles, inspired by Waterhouse Hawkins' Crystal Palace reconstructions at Sydenham, gazing through telescopes at "the Great Comet of 1861". This comet, formally known as C/1861 J1 or 1861 II, was visible to the naked eye for an impressive three months that year. The clever twist lies in the supposition that these dinosaurs had witnessed this same periodic comet during their reign on Earth millions of years ago. It is intriguing to consider how they might have perceived such a celestial event. Interestingly enough, this particular comet came astonishingly close to our planet - within 0.1326 AU - with Earth even finding itself within the tail of the comet. During this time, the sun's brightness was dimmed by the gas and dust emitted from the comet. In light of recent theories about mass extinctions and specifically those concerning dinosaurs' demise, this cartoon gains poignant significance. The closest dinosaur portrayed resembles Hyaeolosaurus while mid-distance stands Teleosaurus and furthest away is an iguanodon model. Through its Victorian-era caricature style and artistic brilliance, this illustration offers both historical amusement and food for thought regarding our planet's ancient inhabitants and their encounters with cosmic phenomena like comets.

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