Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-01-17
= c i e MtiGc
Temper Try Stars.
BY DIR, LARDNER.

Among the extraordinary phenomena which the hea-
vens from time TO time present, there are none more in
scrutable-none which surround even astronomers with
more wonder and p~erplexity, than the appearance of Tem-
porary Stars. Indeed, the views which such appearances
open to the mind, Of the economy of the Universe, are
most extraordinary. From time to time, phenomena like
this have been exhibited:
A star making its appearance in a point of the heavens
where none has been seen before, and of a magnitude and
splendor far superior to those of the stars BY which it is
surrounded. 1t continues visible for a time, gradually
declines in s%plendor, finally disappears, and is never seen
again. In the year $50 there was an appearance of this
kind, but in 1879 there was one much more remarkable.
A star appeared so suddenly, that in half an hour from its
becoming visible, it had reached a size equal to that Of a
star of the first magnitude. An astronomer of that day
was observing the same portion of the heavens and saw
nothing remarl able-nothng which wa not perfctly ia
miliar, He retired to his dwelling, and in a few mo-
ments some peasants ran in and astonished him BY say
ing that a star had blazed out suddenly and assumed the
appearance of a star of the first magni! ude. He went out
and found it was so; it exceeded Jupiter in ~srlendor, and
was for a long while so bright that it could be seen in
The day in the immediate presence of the sun. 1t contin-
ued thus for about two years, when it disappeared, and
has since never been visible. There are several instances,
not quite so remarkable as this, which have occurred in a
similar way.
What purpose these stars subserve in heavens high
economy-whether they are suns, called into being by
the maker of the Universe, and permitted for a time to
exist until they have fulfilled he purposes of his wisdom.
is only a matter of conjecture. The fact of their appear
ance is uuquestionable; the Witnesses have been scientific
men, and their number is so great as TO preclude all doubt.
Beyond this we are entirely ignorant. What l have told
you, Science tells you, and no more. The facts are alt
before you.
The appearance of periodical stars are also very extra
ordinary. They are subject 10 great variation in their
apparent s~plendor being at first Of small magnitude: gradu-
ally, after the lapse of time, increasing in splendor 10 that
of a star, sometimes of the Grst, and at others of the sec7
ond magnitude; then they decline in size and soon be-
come invisible. But by watching the spot where they
were first seen, after a lapse of time, they will be seen to
reappear in brightness, then decline and disappear FOR an
other period. Their recurrence is observed 10 be period
ical. OF course, when a phenomena Of this kind is OBJ
served to occur at regular intervals, variety Of theories
will be suggested TO account for it and astronomers ac~
cordingly have devised several hypothesis whereby to ex-
plain it. One Of the most plausible is that derived from
the existence of spots upon the suns surface; and it may
be easily conceived that one side of a distant sun should
be entirely covered with spots; so that when that side is
presented toward us, no light proceeds from it; whereas,
e he other hemisphere which may be unobserved, is tO-
= wards the earth, and the full splendor Of the star is aPpa-
rent 1t is observable that there are periodical stars that
d do never become quite extnguished, varying from the
/, second to the sixth magnitude. If we suppose, then, that
n the surface of distant suns is covered with permanent spots,
1 there will be no difficulty in imagining tina, as the body
: turns upon its axis, it's appearance TO US would be precise
: ly that presented by the periodical stars,