The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-01-05
CELESTIAL PHENONENA.

During the past year, the accounts Of one
phenomenon after another have succeeded
each other with q rapidity which is start
ling. Earthquakes have become common
occurrences I; volcanic eruptions have come
to be expected as items of daily news an
eclipse, such as is but rarely to be seen, has
taken place sad several interesting me
teors have been observed. There comes
now the description of a strange discovery
which has been recently made, and whicn
transcends almost all the wonders wnicn
have been manifested since the aPpafitions
in the heavens which were seen previous to,
and appeared TO foretell, the tau OF Jerusa
lem. In the Southern skies, Australasian
astronomers have long watched with interest
a singular object. OF a class with the re
msrkable nebula which surrounds the con-
stelation of Orion in our own hemis phere.
the "nebula in Argo exceeds it in brilliancy
almost in tke same degree as the sun does
the moon." The Orion nebula can be seen
only on the darkest nights, but that of Argo
shines ss gloriously rs q star Of the third
magnitude, 'and is scarcely obliterAted by
effulgence of the full MOON
This splendid object has been, of course,
greatly noticed, but, nearly . year ago, a
report came, taken from the observations
Of q small telescope of FIVE inches aperture,
that the wonderful mass was changing en-
tlrely IN character. Sir John Herschel
AYERS that this information WAS of q most
important character proceeding were I'M
mediately taken for Fastening the compile
ton of the great Melbourne telescope, which
is a reflector of four feet in dismeter-snd
this is now at work. The news coming from
it more than confirms the previous lnteH
gence. 1t seems that the nebuls Las not
only changed in form, but has actually
shifted and drifted about the heavens, while
the stars connected with it nave retained
their positions apparently showing that
the Rebula and stellar systems are uncon
nec.ed and at differen: distances from the
earth. But on closer inspection far more
wonderful phenomenon than the shifting,
strange though it is, of the beautiful nebula
was discovered. The star Eta Argus, which
is said to be the most wonderful object in
the whole heavenly expanse, has undergone
gu apparently miraculous metamorphosis in
brillisucy. This star was marked in Hal
leys catalogue Is a fourth rate in La
CABLES, two centuries later, as of the second
magnitude in l843 it surpassed every star
in the heavens except the Dog Star. AT
present it cannot be seen at all with the
naked eye.
Without going deeply into the cause OF
these extraordinary manifestations, it sp
pears probable that the singular electric
commotions which are at present going on
in the chromosphere of the sun are not
likely TO have exercised material influence
on the brightness of the stars. 1t is well
known ths: there is at present q large
curren. or column of electric light shooting
of the suns atmosphere, and II may be that
the reflection which certain Of the nearer
stars must naturally take from this pillar Of
light may have the effect, not only os bring
ing themselves into extra brillisncy, but Of
dimming and casting into shade stars O.
greater distance from our earth.