Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-07-01
The Spots ON the sun.
From the New York Times, 9th.

From the New York Times, 9th.
We recently called attention to the inves.
legations now being made by astronomers
into the remarkable phenomena presented
by the sun. tits, perhaps, needless 10 say
that we unfolded no theory of our own upon
the subject, but merely described the re-
suits OF the researches of those who have
made the solar orb an object Of special and
continual study. Since our remarks ap.
peared, various .oreign papers have inform
ed us that astronomers unite in declaring
,ha, the spots now visible on the sun are
more extensive than have been recorded
within the present century. Whether they
account for the peculiar Iuagne'ic infiuen.
ces which have been detected -even for The
variable character of the weather-it is im-
possible to determine. PHILOSOPHERS have
told us that the milder winters experienced
of late years are owing to the fact that our
planet is traversing a comparatively warm
region of space-a supposition not less DIFF
fcuIt to accept than that which traces eli
matte cha nges to the sun.
The belief is undoubtedly gaining ground
with astronomers, ,ha, the convulsions visl
BILE in the sun do very powerfully affect the
electric condition of the earth. 1t is not as.
certained in what precise form the influence
is exerted, but the effects of it have often
BEEN apparent. When disturbances, such
as are now being noticed, have heretofore
taken place in the sun, every wire OF tele-
graph in the world has been known to be
agilated. The needle vibrated, and self
registering magnetic instruments showed
that great magnetic storm had broken out
almos, at the moment the spots on the sun
were seen to be lit up, rs it were. with
flames. This storm lasted for hours, and,
when night fell Il e magnifcence OF the au-
roras attracted the attention of all obser-
vers. SO that, as a writer who fOretold the
present solar Disturbances year ago, de-
scrbes it: las the disturbed needle vibrated
the colored streamers (of the aurora waved
responsive, and ii was only when the mag
neLlc storm was subsding that the aurorol
lights faded from the heavens
1t is easier for any one to say, Il don't
believe all this" than to shake the evidence
Of large number of observers, stationed in
all parts of the world, who have united in
their testimony concerning the phenol. ena
We may not be able to explain these phe-
nomena, but that is no reason for any per-
son of ordinary intelligence declining to be-
lieve that they have been witnessed. A
little work, published by Messrs. Scribner
in this city. on the "Worders of the sun"
is well adapted TO clear away the ignorance
which exists in some minds IN reference to
the great centre OF our universe. The VII
ter says: at results from observations
made in recelt times by Professor Nole,
Professor Secchi and General Sabine, that
the epochs OF greatest frequency ol solar
spots are those in which the greatest per-
turba ions Of the magnetic needle have
been noted. Are these accidental connec-
tons, or are they really due to n magnetic
Influence which the sun eXerts upon tie
earth?'
Since this book was written, much Las
been done toward answering the question
contained in the last sentence. Accurate
observations have made it evident that there
is q very intimate connection between solar
disturbances and magnetic storms on the
earth The writer to whom we first made
reference has shown that the changes going
on in the physical constitution OF the sun,
have '.caused the most violent disturbances
in the various artificial as well rs natural
electric apparatuses OF the world we 1--we
IN Considering that all conditions Of life
on this planet are derived from the sn, ii
does no: seem an exaggerated conjecture
that COMMISSIONS to which our solar system
is liable must powerfully affect The earth.
"Sputs' extending over millions of square
miles have been observed in the sun during
the last few months, and astronomers and
meteoralogis,s tell us that they have detect
ed numerous signs of strange and inexpii-
cable disturbances OF natural laws. There
is no limit to the possible in subject like
this. II, for instance, tn heat of the sun
were but very slightly increased, many
countries would be rendered utterly unin i,
habitahle, and in others every condition of
life would be changed. The time would
soon come when man would disappear from
the face of the ear'a. Considering that the
sur seems to be the scene of violent conila-
crarions at regular intervals, who can say
that snch speculations as these are wild or
improbable? In these spots. which child
may look at through bit of smoked glass,
fumes are often to be seen. NJ. Jansen. i.
who was itching one during ali eclipse,
SAWS that ..it resembled the fame of forge
fire, rising violently from the intsrs'ices OF
the combustibe whence ii is forced by the
violence of the blast" Another authority
describes the sun as great boiling fur,
,ace OF forces, enveloped in an atmosphere
of flaming gas. and subject to the most vi
olent superficial eXctements under the most
apparently insignificant external 'htiuen-
ces." If astronomers paid heed to the skep-
ticism of the age, they would discontinue
their inquiries, and come to the conclusion
that the solar system is liable to no vieissi
tudes. But the result Of their discoveries is
calculated to convince thoughtful students
that our PHILOSOPHY" may not yet have
penetrated every secret Of universe in
which man is but as grain of sand on the
s.a-shore.