New-York tribune., 1878-03-06
AN ASTRONOMICAL PUZZLE.
A MOON WHICH RISES II THE WEST.


A MOON WHICH RISES II THE WEST.
4 NEW THEORY 10 ACCOUNT FOH ThE hAlEioR-
BINARY SPEED OF TlE INNER MOON oF MARS.
FROM InE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRtBuNE'I
WAsuIyGrov. March 5.-ProfessOr Asaph Hail.
theJscoycrer OF the moonso Mars, has for sometime
beo interested in theory suggcstedby Professor NJ
H. pooltle Of the Coast Survey, explanatory OF the
PECULIARLY in the revolution of the inner satellite.
which makes it Journey about the planet in shorter
space of time than that occupied by the planet III
revolving upon its axis As is well understood, TINS
fact presents an anomaly in astronomical science.
Last Saturday night Professor Doolittic explained
the full details of his theory before the Philosophi-
cal Society of this city. His paper attracted marked
attention from the members of the society
The observed periodic time of the inner moon of
Mars around its primary is fraction over seven
hours. The revolution Of Mars itself on its own
axis is accomplished in about twenty-four hours
This discrepancy between the periods OF the planet
and its satellite in favor Of the quicker revolution
OF the latter cannot in accordance with the terms
of the nebular hypothesis, be accounted Tor
without conceyng the existence of some
cause which has operated TO shorten the
radius of the satellites orbit. In explaining
his theory Of the discrepancy referred to- Professor
Doolittc mentioned the fact that the radii of
planets are shortened by any resistance which they
May meet. From this arises the paradox. well
known TO astronomers that the velocity OF planets
is accelerated by resistance.
1t has been coniectured that the luminiferous
ether possesses the power OF resistance to the
planetary system. This was predicatcd on the
observed acce,eratiOn OF Encke's comet IN
some of its revolutions. Mr.. Doclittle dismissed
such conclusions as to the luminit"rons ether
as referring to substance So different Ioln
ordinary matter that it is scarcely proper TO say
what is credible or incredible in regard to it. Ho
called attention however TO the existence of h4atter
in the intcr-planctary spaces which is not purely
conjectura This nat;er is that of the shooting
stars or aerolitcs. This known inter-stellar
matter is assumed By bis theory as being
that which may possibly have operated as
sufficient cause Of resistance to planetary bodies TO
shorten their radif and accelerate their velocity.
This being granted, the uuiQne phenomena OBJ
served in the rapid revolution of the inner moon Of
Mars would he explained. 1t has been observed that
a larger number Of aerotcs strike the earth in front
than in the rear. While other causes of planet
tary acceleration through RESISTANCE have al
ready been conjectuTod, this only known cause has
been largely overlooked.
Professor Doolittlo showed that the action of the
acrolites would tend TO increase the comparative
rapidity of a satellite in three different ways First
nv etikng tlc SiIcIIlte anu increasing Us idi'ntA
of revolution il the manner already explained ~
making il TeyOlye in smaller orbit; secondly
by striking the primary, thus increasing its mass
and its attraction of the satellite; thirdly, by in
creasing the mass Of the primary and thereby con-
suming its original velocity through the taking mp
of this increased addition to its mass. How
ever slight may be the annual average effect
thus produced any assgnable diminution of radius
and increase of velocity is attalnabe in suhcient
number of years, and ii may be confidently set down
rs a matter of positive scientific knowledge that II
these causes in operation continue to operate as
efficiently in the past the inner moon OF Mars has
simply reached condition which all planets and
satellites are destined ultimately to reach; and the
time will come when moon Will rise in the west
and set in the east. The inner moon Of Mars, by
reason OF going faster than the planet presents tins
phenomenon now to m Inhabitant of Mars.
There is reason. however, to believe, Professor
Dcolttle asserts that these causes operating TO
ceerate the velocity of planets will not continue too
operate with undimnshcd efficiency. 1t is known
that many acruiitcs beon.peTmaneutly to the Solar
system and it is not unlikely that they all 90. II
their quantity must bc Unite ana eXhalHtbe ana
probably nearly exhausted.
AT the conclusion of the paper, which was l~,ened
TO with earnest attention. the new theory was dis
cussed by members of the society in manner which
showed that IL had made an impression. especially
upOn those familiar with astronomical science and
speculation. Professor fialI, VINO was present,
declared that not only is Lapace's nebuar hypotli-
ees insufficient to account for the anon
alous position and velocity Of the MINOR
moon Of Mar, but that the supplementary
hypothesis. which was adopted to explain the II
regular motion OF Enckes comet. also ials To afford
a satisfactory ex planation of that phenomenOn. Tic
said Chat from the latest computations OF tbat
couet its velocity appears BE- accelerated in some
of its perodic revolutions, and not in Others, which
is explained upon Mr.. DoolitIc's theory, rs
the comet wOuld probably encounter acroites.In
some Of it's revolutions and fail 10 encounter them
in others while all the hitherto cCgicctIrcd
would be regular III their action. The discussion
WAS continued warmly a considerable time after
the regular adjournment of the society by lIo-
fessor Hall and others. Among those present
at this meeting of the Philosophical Society
were Professor Simon Ncwconh. OF the Naval OBJ
eeryatory Professor Hilgard OF TIE Coast Survey;
Commander Lul photographer oil tho Coast sur
yey; Mr. Dali, OF the Coast Survey and tho smith
sOniau Institution Professor Gill, naturalist Oi the
Smithsonian Institution; President Wclug. OF Co
lumbar University DR.. Antisol, chemist, lately III
Japan; Professor Gilbert and Captain DuttOr, of
the Powell Exploration and Drs. Woodward and
Billings, of the Medical Museum. Several of them
participated in the discussion.