midnight
Peculiar markings , as yet unexplained , were seen near the site of that outbreak during the next two oppositions . The storm burst upon us six years ago now . As Mars approached opposition , Lavelle of Java set the wires of the astronomical exchange palpitating with the amazing intelligence of a huge outbreak of incandescent gas upon the planet . It had occurred towards midnight of the twelfth ; and the spectroscope , to which he had at once resorted , indicated a mass of flaming gas , chiefly hydrogen , moving with an enormous velocity towards this earth . This jet of fire had become invisible about a quarter past twelve . He compared it to a colossal puff of flame suddenly and violently squirted out of the planet , `` as flaming gases rushed out of a gun . '' A singularly appropriate phrase it proved .