Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-02-11

stars, and the sun spots on the stars
were exhibited,so as to make clear the
mode in which the presence of certain
matters was made evident on
the different heavenly q bodies
There were the lines on the
spectrum indicating the presence of
metals common to the earth. These
experiments were as certain as if the
observer carried into his laboratory a
piece of the star and subjected 1t to
chemical examination. The spotted
stars were variable and resembled our
sun. The spectroscope proved the ex-
istence in them of metals and other
matter in certain forms. The question
whether color is inherent in the color
ed stars is due to the cutting off of
some color by the action of an atmos-
phere or envelope, is full of interest.
Great difference is shown in the spec
trums of these stars-blue prevailing
in some, orange, red, and yellow in
others. 1t is now generally accepted
that color is not inherent in these bod
les, but is due to the action of their
envelopes on the light passing through.
A beautiful diagram of a stellar
group, supposed to be a cluster of
suns, was exhibited by Mr.. Proctor,
presenting to the minds eye the vision
of world without night, where noon
tide splendor would exist increasingly
and know no night. If these worlds
were inhabited the jewellers would be
shut off from all knowledge of the ex-
istence of other worlds. They would
! Iol IL Of no 70,
heavens which surround them on every
side, and would have no idea of space.
Passing on to the consideration of me-
bul@, the lecturer produced very fine
diagram of the nebul@ in Orion, which
showed clear evidence of the dyDami-
cal process. The mass OF ne
bula, floating with clear
ly marked spiral motion, showed
that 1t was not matter travelling
in space, but nebule passing through
matter less dense. In order to demon
strate the enormous extent of the
nebuIae the lecturer reminded the
audience of the immense diameter OF
even a single star of the thousands
enveloped by the cloudlike nebula
which spreads over space. Reviewing
rapidly the theories about the Milky
Way and the efforts of men like
Herschel to lay bare the architecture
of the heavens, and illustrating by
diagrams the curious theories built up
by astronomers, the lecturer proceeded
to show in what these theories were
defective and opposed to the discover
les made in late years. The attraction
of the stars toward some unknown
point in space was explained and IL
Illustrated by a diagram showing the
motion and direction of a group of
stats and marking the progress they
would make / u $4,000 years to the
point to which they are tending.
Observations with powerful modern
telescopes have exploded the old the
cries about the star system, and
showed the system to be infinitely
more wonderful than it had been mag
ined. In support of this statement the
I lecturer exhibited diagrams of the star
system, as imagined by astronomers,
and map of the heavens showing the
actual distribution. A sky map coz
tanning 1874, 900 stars was exhibited,
which contrasted strangely with the
theoretical system of Herschel and
other astronomers. It IS estimated
that by using powerful telescopes 90,
| 600, 900 of stars may be discovered and
mapped down. This will give some
idea Of the infnity Of the system, which
seems to begin nowhere and end no.
where. The subject of the star depths
is one we'll calculated to inspire awe in
the thoughtful mind.