Smyrna times., 1861-06-06
Solar Spots

The sun, the centre of our planetary system,
is probably a small star situated in desert re.
giOn of the universe. Observations have shown
that It's light is only about one halt Centauri,
and probably no more than one sxty.ihird that
OF Sirius. Yet, to obtain an opinion of It's vast
bulk, you must conceive l,40l $40 esrths
formed into one vast globe. 1t Is however,
found TO be much lighter, in proportion to it's
size, than our earth, it being only one quarter
Of the density. This is explained by the fact
that the solid mass Of the sun is surrounded by
the luminous philosophers we know but little.
save that it forms The medium of supplying
light and heat from the interior. We are led
to presume it a gaseous substance, from the
changes that take place in its snrtace. Open.
ings are frequently made in it, probably from
the outward pressure of the interior combusti.
Bile matter. Through the Sc openings the solid
mass of the sun is visible as dark spot; sur
rounding this spot is dark surface. supposed
by some astronomers supporting The photo.
sphere. This is called the penumbre. Sew
eral of these spots are visible at time, lying
generally within twenty-five degrees of the
! suns equator they differ much in size and
shape, the same spot often changing in size
and appearance in a few hours, yet frequently
continuing visible for sixty days. Spots are
| generally seen in groups consisting Of few
large, surrounded by several smaller ones
one penumbra surrounding several. Spots
are frequently seen of the enormous size Of
400, 900 600 of square miles, and at the same
time the smaller spots may be counted by
hundreds; yet at other times not even a minute
spot is to be seen. In the neighborhood of the
spots are seen white streaks or faculR, which
are due TO the same internal disturba nces
the spots. From the motion of these across
q Il IL
sun revOlves around its axis in about 25d Sh
Nj. Nader has determined by his calculations
that the whole universe revolves around q
point in the Pleiades; and Highlander supposes
that the present direction Of the sun and its
attendant planets is towards Hercules a. the
rate of l54, ,l95, 900 miles per year, or 455, 900
milesper day.-Home Journal
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MILITARY SENATORS IN WAsHINTGoN-A
Washington correspondent of the Providence
Journal thus describes a funny scene in the
Senate Chamber;
When | entered the Sem te Chamber, the
seats were mainly filled by New York volun-
teers, who were holding mock session. The
presiding oiicer was just putting the question
on resolution directing the sergeant-at rms
TO proceed Immediately 10 the White House,
and to request the President, If in his opinion
not incompatible with the public interest, to
send down bottle Of hIs best brandy. A mo
ton to strike out the word "brandy" and to
substitute " old rye" was voted down, on con
stilutlonal grounds, and because the Hon
Senator from South Carolina" who offered it,
had both his legs on the desk, while the rules
only permitted one. And finally motion was
made to clear the galleries. as disorderly per
sons were looking on, evidently with view TO
ridlcule the proceedings, and otherwise behave
ing in manner not consistent with the dignity
of the Senate. | have seldom seen tho pro-
seedlings in that chamber so amusing. have
often seen them ns little profitable to the coun-
try, and less credtable to some who took
part in them.