The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-08-23
First Impressions OF the Eclipse Obser-
VatiOnS.

It is of course too early TO expect any
strictly scientific or conclusive estimate
Of the bearing of the eclipse observa-
tons on current solar theories, there hav-
ing been no opportunity for critical
study and comparison of the photographs
and other records obtained. Yet the i'm
pressions made upon the observing as
tronomers by the more striking phenome-
ma are not without interest.
Touching the effect of the varying
constitution of the corona, DIR. Draper
said to the Herald correspondent:
cit is rather singular while the sun
has been in such quiescent condition
for more than two years that we have
not seen more changes in the climate of
the earth. This would seem TO show
that the abnormal condition of the sun
at the maximum period of sun spots,
which occurs every eleven years, counts
for but little against the total amount of
heat that is sent out from the sun at all
times. The present observations go to
show that the activity or quiescence of
the sun makes no perceptible difference
in the earth's condition. 1 do not re-
gard this most marked change in the
corona as portending any change in the
condition of either climate or crops"
Mr.. Norman Lockyer interprets the
evidence very differently. He says {:
"The present eclipse has accomplished,
if nothing else, the excellent result of
intensifying our knowledge concerning
the running down of the solar energy.
With the reduction of the number
spots or prominences for the last fourf
years, the terrestrial magnetism has
been less energetic than it has been for
the preceding forty years. This would
evidently account for it, as well IA for
the great fanines in India and China
which took place forty-four years ago.
The sun is the great prime mover of
earth. Every cloud, every tide, every
air current depends upon it. When in
state OF activity the sun throws out
an atmosphere which serves as shield
to the earth, protecting it from abnor.
NAL influences of the sun. The absence
of the green lines shows a great reduc-
tion in the temperature of the sun, and
such marked change in the sun should
produce corresponding change on the
earth. A continuation of this changing
OF the suns condition must inevitably
be followed by serious results and radi-
cal climatic variations.
President Morton says that the marked
changes in the suns condition would
seem to call for corresponding marked
changes in the condition of the earth,
and it is surprise that no such changes
have occurred.
He is of opinion, however, that the
evidence tends to sustain the theory
that the suns heat has been maintained
by the impact of meteoric matter, which
is known to vary very largely in consti-
tuition, and it is possible that the suns
fires may be fed at times with purely
mineral matter, and again for consider
able periods with meteorites highly
charged with hydrogen, giving the sun
far-reaching atmosphere of ignited
gas. ''H such changes go on indefi-
nitely it may not be irrational to inquire
whethor they may not in future produce
such extraordinary climatic conditions
in the earth as geology teaches Us have
existed in the ages of the past, or, in
other words, the polar regions become
tropical, as the fossil remains of animals
anu plants found there indicate they
have been.-Scientifc american.