The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1875-09-08

the telescope does for us IN an observation
like this. We will suppose the glass has a
magnifying power Of one thousand. Then it,
in effect brings the star q Thousand times
nearer us; or, what is the same, 1t is as If we
were taken up bodily and transported over the
abysses of space to within one-thousandth
part of the whole distance and there set down,
and from that comparatively near point were
allowed to make new examination of the
star but such is the mighty distance of the
body that even that small part of it is toe
great to permit us to see any change what
ever in tie star, save that its brilliancy is in
creased
The fact, then, that the largest telescope
cannot magnify star, while the same instru-
ment will apparently convert planet into a
moon, is proof of the immense distance Of the
star
But there is another startling evidence Of
great distance. Let us first recall the fact
that our globe is revolving around the sun
from west to east, at distance from the sun
of about ninety-two millions of miles. Now,
when the earth is on the west side of the sun,
let us select star in the western sky, and
carefully measure its light with that new and
delicate instrument, the photometer or light
measure.
Then we will wait six months until our
globe has passed through one-half of its orbit
or path, and has gotten around on tue east
side of the sun. 1t is now twice 90, 100000 Of
miles from its former position where we first
measured the light Of the star-that is, it has
removed 1874, 000,0 900 of miles farther from the
star. Now let us again apply our pEotometer
and carefully measure the same stars light,
and we find, to our utter amazement, that it
has lost none of its brilliancy; it is as if we
MONDAY sun---there is not the least percepti-
bic loss of light So, if VIC reverse the pro-
cess, and while our globe is on the east side of
the sun, measure the light of another star in
the west, and then, waiting six months again.
until we had passed around the western side,
and are 1s400o,000 of miles nearer the star,
and then again apply the photometer, we shall
again find no change of brightness-the star
will appear no more brilliant than when we
were 184,000,000 of miles farther from it.
This also, SLOWS Chat the body is immensely
distant, because the distance of 1874, 600, 600
miles is as nothing to the whole--the change
of position effecting not the least change in
the appearance of the star There Is still an
other striking proof of the great distance of
these bodies. While the earth IS on the west
side of the sun, let us select q star in the
south, instead of east or west. We will then
take telescope, and win draw two fine
SPIDERS threads across the glass at right
angles to each other. Then adjusting the in :
strument so that the star shall be exactly at
the crossin5 point of the spider threads, we
will firmly fix the telescope so that it cannot
be moved, and wait six months, until the
earth has passed to the east side of the sun,
1874, 000,0 900 miles out of the range and to our
astopshment we find that the same star is
still ON the point of intersection of those same
spider threaus the removal of the instru-
ment 1874, 100000 miles out Of range has not
in the least affected the apparent position of
the start is still in as perfect range as when
the telescope was first adjusted We shall
the better understand and appreciate this
most extraordinary fact when we remember
that if a rife be aimed at mark, and then be
shifted haitian inch one side, it is thrown out
of range ; but here shifting of 1874, 900, 900 of
miles produces not a change of even a hairs
breadth.
Now all this proves, most conclusively, that
the stars are at immense distances, from us.
But we have seen that reflected light cannot
be visible at like distances. Now as the stars
are SO distinctly seen by us, Notwithstanding
the great spaces that separate them from
earth, we are forced to the conclusion that
they all shine by their reflective light; in
other words, they are all suns. THIS then, is
settled point
THE NEAREST STAR.
The star nearest to the earth is the sun (;
for the sun is nothing but star, apparently
larger and, brighter thar, the other, but only
so because so much nearer. Were the s1n as
far removed from us as some of the stars, it
would not only dwindle IN size and brilliancy,
but would be entirely lost to sight-not one
ray of its light would ever reach our world.
The distance of this body stcih our giobesis
about 90, DOC, 900 Of miles. Light moving 1872
600 miles second, is eight minutes in reach
ing us from the sun. Hence the sun has
risen eight minutes before we see him. A
cannon-ball would reach this distant globe
only after seven years of undiminished slpeedi
A railway train, moving constantly, night and
day, thirty miles an hour, would 6s 800 years
in making Che journey to the sum-
The next star in order of distances is AL
pba, Of Centaurus, the constellation repre-
sented by tho figure Of a mailman and half
horse. This is the one whose distance has
been accurately determined and this is SO
deeply buried in the abyssess of space that
eighteen and a half triIfiofi Of miles must be
passed over before it can be reached. What
q vast void is there then between the out r
most world of our family Of worlds and this
far distant star. We can hardly repress q
feeling of loneliness as we think how Iar re.
moved we are from all these GLORIOUS worlds
above, beneath and around us.
Not that this vast interval of space is a