The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-06
s O L A II Ell z a II.
The Retardation Of the Earth's Motion
on Its Axis by Solar Influence
An Important Paper by
Captain John Ericsson.

-
tain John Ericsson, the celebrated inventor,
was read, the subject being "Constancy of
Rotation of the Earth Incompatible with
Solar Influence" The paper was accompa-
MED by the following letter from the author:
New YORK May %, 1S69-Dear sir-I have
the honor to present to you, for the National
Academy of Science, an extract from an ESSAY
on Solar Heat upon which am now engaged.
Also, two partially finished plates necessary to
elucidate the subject 1t is proper to observe
that l have made numerous experiments to
ascertain practically If solar heat can be rem
dered available as n motive power, and that l
have constructed several solar engines, some of
which have attained very high rate of speed,
fully establishing the practicability of the
scheme. These experiments have led to n care
full consideration of the dynamic energy of the
suns radiant heat, together with Investigations
relating to some important practical results of
solar heat.
may MENTION also, that in order to facilitate
the investigation | have constructed a solar
calOrimeter and a solar thermometer, by means
of which it has been possible to determine with
absolute precision what Sir John Herschel and
M. Pouilet ascertained approximately some
thirty years ago. Indeed, such a degree of pre-
cison has been attained that the temperature
and dynamic energy established by my instru-
ments indicate with considerable accuracy the
eccentricity of the earths orbit. Thus during
the present warm weather the real temperature
produced by exposure to the suns rays ata given
zenith distance, as well as the dynamic energy
developed, in units Of heat, is far less than
during the last winter solstice, when the tenn
perature was scarcely Is deg. above Fahrenheits
zero.
The intended essay, which / expect will be
published in about three years, Will contain de-
tailed engravings of the several instruments en-
ployed in the investigation, together with copi-
Gus tables relating to the observations made.
The most important fact intended to be estab-
lshed will be the dynamic energy OF the suns
patY nc
well as the actual temperature of the suns rays
before influenced by the atmosphere and its
vapor, or by terrestrial objects. | need hardly
observe that reliable tables OF the dynamic ener-
gies and temperature of the suns rays, for each
degree of zenith distance from o'clock in the
morning to 8 o'clock in the evening, will furnish
precise data for determining the diminutiOn of
energy and temperature during the passage of
the rays through the atmosphere, irrespective of
the nature of the cause OF that diminution.
Already the Investigations have advanced far
enough to justify the assertion that the tempera-
ture of the moon under the full effect of the
suns vertical rays will be determined with posi-
tive accuracy. 1t will also be satisfactorily
shown that the inferior planets are not subjected
to such destructive heat as supposed, and that
the temperature of the sun and the amount of
heat constantly parted with have been greatly
overstated.
In a future communication will present par
ticulars which cannot fail to interest you. / can
not, however, omit to state before concluding.
JnaJ Jne OBSERVATIONS maze heU winter pOSlJVely
disprove the accuracy of Sir John HersChel 5
estimate that, owing to the eccentricity of the
earths orbit, the temperature in the Southern
hemisphere during our winter sOlstce is % de-
Srees higher than during our summer, on the as
sumption that the absolute zero is 239 degrees
below Fahrenzeits zero.
am, dear sir, yours truly,
(Signed) j. Ericsson.
Professor John Henry, President of the Ma
tional Academy of Science, Washington.
will offO rnn r,In tO for
ward to you shortly copy of the annual records
of the University of Lund, in Sweden, for the
present year, containing some Of my specula-
tions with reference to the physical constitution
of the moons surface. My Investigations by
means of the solar calorimeter and solar ther-
mOmeter, prove conclusively that the tempera-
ture of the moons surface under the full effect
OF a vertical sun, owing to the absence OF an at
mosphere, is not sufficient to render mercury
flud-much less will snow melt under such low
temperature The irresistible inference draw
from this fact is that our satellite. in place of
being 'dred-up, sun-scorched body, is COW
cred with ice and snow, the peculiar reflection
observed resulting from enormous masses of ice
upheaved anil broken, during the cooling and
consequent contraction of the body, while the
peculiar formation of the general surface, the
innumerable circular cavities SO unlike anything
which the internal heat of the earth has pro-
duced, Is the result of hot water forced out by
contraction, scooping out the ice, and forming
those vast surrounding banks of snow and con.
mately, during the last effort of internal heat
raising those conical projections of ice which, in
so many cases, stand isolated in the middle O.
the fiat bottoms, the frozen oceans and lakes.
D. E.
Captain Ericssons paper reads as follows
CoNsTANcY OF ROTATION OF THE EARTH INCOM
PATIBLE WITH SOLAR INFLUENCE.
Investigations relating to solar heat under
taken chiefly with a view of ascertaining accu
rately how far the dynamic energy of the radian
heat OF the sun can be made subservient il
producing motive power for the various uses 0
civilized life have led me to consider, among
other important practical manifestations O
solar energy the abrasion of the earth's sur
lace, caused by the flow of rain water in it
course to the sea.
The expenditure of force during the transit O
the abraded matter from the land to the Sc
called for on account of friction and other resist
ance not having direct bearing on the questio
intended TO he discussed will at once ente
upon the main subject, the consideration of til
effect produced on the rotation of the earth b
the change of position of the enormous masses
matter detached by the flow of rain water. 1t
evident that the effects resulting from IL
change of position of the matter abraded a
twofold as regards the earth's aXial rotation.
the first place this matter is brought nearer
the earths centre, excepting in few instanc
owing to the elliptical form; but generally Il
altered position involves an approach TO t
earths centre. 1t needs no demonstration
show that such approach tends to increase I
rotary velocity OF the earth, since the weig
transferred moves in Il less circle at the ba
than at the top Of the height from which 1t {
scends, consequently calling for the eXtincti
of n certain amount of its UiS UiUd The increG
of rotary velocity impaired to the earth fro
this cause is, however, almost inapprecab
Secondly, the abraded matter besides It's chan
of position relative to the earths centre, will,
its course toward the sea- either, approach
In. tl,n.F