Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-08-15
Cur Globe TN Trouble. Again.

Tie prophets OF evil are not content Z, Give IL
up wiz the fa'lC-e OF P.antamoar's comet,
Nov they say there is something wrong with
the sun IL seems that certain Italian spectre
scoIistS-ReSpi CHI, Secchi. Tacchin1 and
otAeTs-have set themselves the task of keeping
a ocrtinual watch upon the solar chromatos-
Hhere. They draw pictures OF IL, and of the
mighty cOlOred prominenees which are from
time 70 time upreared out OF, or through, the
chromatcspheric envelope. They note the
yapors which are present. IS well as what can
be learned of the heat az which these vapors
exist, their pressure, their rates of motion, and
other like circumstances. 1t was while
engaged in some of the more difficult and
Delicate OF these tasks that Tacchini noticed
the phenomenon that portends danger.
Since May 9th this astronomer found certain
Tegiors in the sun remarkable for the presence
OF magnesium. Some OF these extended half
way round the sun. These magnesium regions
continued to eA,end until on June Is, he was
able TO recognize the presence OF magnesium
quite round the sun-that is to say, the chroma-
tesPEeTe was completely invaded by the vapOr
81 this metal. This ebullition was accompanied
n an absence of the eolOred prominences while,
c. the contrary, the flames of the chromato-
srhere were very marked and brilliant II
seemed to him a. though he could see the sur
face Of our great source of light renewing itself.
" bile this was going on Tacchini noticed las
had frequently happened before in his expe-
rience) that the bright streaks on the sun which
are called fdctlG, were particularly brilliant
close to those parts OF the edge of the disc where
the flames Of the chrOmatosphere were most
splendid and characteristic. The examinations,
also, which the astronomer can recognize
All over the sun, when q large teiC
score Is employed, were unusually distinct
Il; mas been remarked that the sun has not at
present IL ordinary aspect, and Tacehini holds
that tie change must be attributed TO mague-
sium. 1t is impossible 10 consider astentiyely
the remarkable occurrence recorded by Tao
chini, says the London Spectator without being
struck by the evidence which it affords of solar
nutability. We know that during thousands o.
years our sun has poured forth his light and
heats uron the worlds which circle around him,
and that there has been no marked intermit-
tence OF the supply. We hear, indeed, OF occa-
slOEs when the sun has been darkened for
awhile; and We have abundant reasons for be-
heviDg that he has at times been 20 spot-covereI
that there has been a notable dimnution of the
supply Of light and heat for several DAYS to-
gether. Yet we have had ne reason for antici-
pating that our sun might permanently lose SO |
much OF bis heat snd Iustre that tie inhabi-
tants Of the earth would suffer. Tacchini's OBJ /
serVatiOn reminds Us, however, that processes |
Checked or increased, interrupted altoseth- !
er, or exaggerated 80 violently Gas it /
were, that the whole aspect of the sun,
his condition as the fire and lamp of the |
Planetary system, may be seriously affected. |
II We only remember that our sun is one OF the |
stars, not in any way distinguished, unless, per
hsIs, BY relative insignifcance, from the great |
bulk of the stars which illuminate our skies at
night, or are revealed by the telescope we shall,
learn TO recognize the possibility that ne ma, |
undergo marked changes. Fortunately, we NAV \
view this matter dust Is astronomers have |
learned TO view the prospect OF mischievous col
iiSions with comets) as question OF probabili- !
ties. Among so many thousands Of stars there !
have been so many Outbgrsts OF light and fire,
60 many sudden defaications OF splendor. Our |
sun Is one of those thousands, and so far as we |
know takes his chance with the rest. Precisely,
then, as We derive confidence from the law of |
probabilities, that since many only out of so |
rlany millions perish by lightning or any other /
specified form OF injury, any individual person |
Is unlikely to perish in that particular way; so /
may We reason about our sun-that since only |
small proportion OF bis fellOw-suns undergo dis
astrops changes, he is unlikely to be one OF the |
unfortunate.