The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-01-22
@enernl Snttlliosnre.
SINGULAR DISCOVERY OF SOLAR
PHYSICS.
Ths Phep"msna Of sun-spot'

The London Daily News says:
We have 10 record a discovery in solar
physics which is, perhaps, as remarkable
as any which has ever been made by as
tronomers. Singularly enough, France
and England, as in the case Of so many
astronomical discoveries, may be said 10
claim an equal share in this one, though
the actual priority Of discovery rests with
France.
Our readers have heard a good deal late
ly about the colorod p~rominences which arc
seen round the sun during the timo of total
eclipse, and we have already announced the
discovery made during the recent great
eclipse) that these prominences are enor-
nous flames of gas, and not-as has been
suppOsed-either true solar clouds, float
ing at enormous elevations in the solar
atmosphere, or large volumes of incandes-
cent liquid or solid matter, sustained in
some uncomfortable manner at n great dis
lance from the true surface of the sun.
But the discovery which had thus been
Notwithstanding as il is-afforded no
information at all respecting the peculiar
tiles Of structure and arrangement pre-
scented by these singular -prominences.
Astronomers had hoped much from the
chance which the great eclipse seemed to
give them of obtaining photographs of the
prominences at periods separated by a con-
siderable interval Of time. But, 80 far as
is at present known. this hope has been
disappointed. Nor does IL seem at all
likely that during any future eclipse so
favorable an opportunity will occur. The
discovery we have now TO deal with makes
this disappointment a matter Of trifing
significance.
1.-Two years or so ago Mr.. j. Norman
InolvuN tNNauanNal 10 the RAual Caaa,N~.
paper, in which he dealt with two theories
which had been formed by NJ. Faye
on the one hand, and by Messrs. DE Ia
Rue, Stewart, and Loewy on the other,
respecting the phenomena Of svn-spots.
According to one theory the spots were due
10 an uprush Of intensely heated gas, dis
soeiating the true polar p~hotosphere; ac-
cording to the other the spots are due to a
downrush Of the solar atmosphere, sweep
ing away or else cooling a portion Of the
~incandescent photosphere. Mr.. Lockyer
had been able 10 dispose satisfactorily of
NJ. Foye's theory, by applying the wonder
tul powers Of the spectroscopic analysis 10
the subject. He compared the spectrum
of the spots with that Of the photosphore,
and he found that each spectrum was rain
bow-colored-that Of the spots much the
fainter and crossed by dark lines thicker
than the corresponding lines Of the spec
trum given by the photosphere. This
showed that the atmospheric layers
through which the light Of the spot
reaches MS are thicker and denseT than
those through which the restof the suns
hight comes; and thus we learn that n
downrush of vapor is the true cause of the
solar spots. In the concluding words of
the paper in which this subject was dis
cusssd, Mr.. Lockyer remarks: May not
the spectroscope afford us evidence Of the
existence of the red flames which total
eclipses have revealed 10 us in the suns
atmosphere, although they escape all other
methods of observation ut other timea.'
We believe we are safe in saying that this
idea was presented 10 the astronomical
world for the first time in these words.
Mr.. Lockyer has been anticipated by a
brief interval Us respects the application OF
the method but no doubt whatever seems
to exist as to his having been the first TO
suggest 1t.
THE DISCOVERY.
Mr.. Loclyer applied the spectroscope,
which he made use Of ia the researches
already mentioned, in seeking around tho
edge Of the solar disc for indications of the
existence Of the red prominences. The
plan was to bring the brilliant solar spec
trum into view and then 10 cause il 20 be-
come narrower and narrower by directing
the telescope gradually further towards
the edge Of the suns disc. Tho observer
hoped that when the telescope was
directed towards the place where the
prominences really were he should see
their observation-disclosures it might be-
fash out beyond Me brighter one be-
longing 10 the sun. But he was disap-
pointed the spectroscope he made use of
had not the requisite qualities. He then
placed the construction Of a more effect
i've spectroscope in the hands Of Mr..
Browning, +. r.. A. s., the optician, n so
soon as this instrument wassplaced in his
hands-which was not until the autumn OF
the present year-he resumed his observa-
tons. And now, at length, he was re-
warded with success. The spectrum of
the red sierras and prominences became
visible, and he saw that these objects were
gaseous. This discovery had already been
made by the members of the expedition
sent out to view the great eclipse Of Aug.
18th.
but the Importance of Mr.. Lotkyer's
discovery was scarcely at all affected by
this circumstance, since we shall show
presently that the observations which can
be made by the method are altogether
more valuable and significant than those
Mnlcl hGIt Hluub uuAluB VIC klthl SSlDbe
But strangely enough, DR.. Jansen, who
commanded the French observing party,
had forestalled Mr.. Lockyer in the appli-
cation of this very method. II had oc-
Cured to him that he ought 10 be able 10
see the spectra of the prominences even
when the sun was not eclipsed, though the
prominences themselves could not then be
seen. Whether this idea was original, or
whether he had heard Of the suggestion
made by Mr.. Lockyer more than two years
ago, does not appear. Certain it is that II
few DAYS before Mr.. Lockyer had success
fally applied the method, DR.. johnson had
shown that the spectrum of the prominen-
ces can be distinctly seen when the sun is
shining with full splendor. A strange CO.
incidence this, almost as strange as that
which-through no fault Of his own-de-
priyed our great astronomer, Professor Adj
ans, of priority in the disc oyery Of the
planet Neptune. But Z yet the strange
coincidence marked the announcement
of the discovery. II is said that only o few
minutes after Mr.. De In Rue had stated the
nature Of Mr., Lookyer's discovery, before
the French Academy of Sciences, Doctor
Janssen's letter announcing the attainment
OF similar results, was placed in the hands
Of the president.
IT'S SCOPE.
'And now a few brief words on the ma
ture and scope Of this interesting diseov.
sry. We have seen that what is required !