The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1878-04-19
AN ASTRONOMICAL PUZZLE.
"A MOON WHICH RISES INcTHE sWEsT---A NEW
THEORY 10 ACCOUNT nor FHEnExFRAoR-
yDTNARy SPEED OF THE INNER MOON OF
MARS. ett ). -.- -.--r.

Washington correspondence of New York Tribune
Professor Asaphl Hall the discoverer o
the moons of Mara, has forsome time bee,
interested in theory saggestedby Profes
snr NJ. Fl. Doolittle, Of the Coast Survey
explanatory Of the pecalia,iss in the revo
| intionsl of the inner ersatellite, which make,
Its Journey about tho planet ia o shorter
space of time than that aocsapieGbby the
planet in revolving apon its axis. AS Ii
well understood this fact presents al
anomaly in astronomical sciences. Las,
Saturday night Professor Doolittie ex.
plained the fall details of his sshsofy before
the philosophical Society OF this city. IIis
paper attracted marked attention from the
members of the society. SD ~
The observed periodic time of the irner
moon of Mars around its primary is a
fraction over seven hours. The revolution
OF Mars itself on its own axis is accom-
splished in about "a hours. This .eiiscrep-
ancy between the periods of the planet and
its satellite lii favor of the quicker revolu-
tion of the latter cannot, in accordance with
the term fthe5 nebular hypothesis, be ae-
counted for without eencsiEing the exist
erce of some cause which has operated 10
shorten the radius of the satellites orbit.
In explaining his theory ofthe discrepancy
referred to, Professor Doolit.le mentioned
the fact that the radii of planets are short
ened 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 conjectured that the lumi-
niferous ether possesses the power of re-
sistance to the planetary system. This was
predicated on the observed acceleration Of
Encke's comet in some of it's revolutions.
Mr. Doolittle dismissed such conclusions as
to the luminiferous ether as referring to
substance SO different from ordinary matter
that it is scarcely proper to say what is
credible or incredible il. regard to it. He
called attention, however, to the existence
of matter ia the inter:planetary spaces
which is not purely conjectural. This mat
tor is that Of the shooting stars or aerolites.
This known inter stellar matter il ssumed
by his theory as being hat which May pos
sibIy have operated as a SUFFICIENT cause OF
resistance to planeteryr bodies to shorten
their radii and accelerate their velocity.
This being granted, the unique phenomena
observed in the rapid revolution of the in
ner moon Of Mars would be explained. 1t
has been observed that q larger number of
aerolites strike the earth in front than in
he rear. While other causes of planetary
acceleration through resistance have al
ready been conjectured, this only known
cause has been largely overlooked. n
Professor Doolitt.e showed that the ac-
lion Of the arolites would tend to increase
the comparative rapidity of a, satellite in
hree different ways First, by striking
,he satellite and increasing its rapidity of
revolution in the manner already explained
,y making 1t revolve in smaller Oh bit {; !
by striking the primary, thus in
,reasing its mass and its attraction of the |
'atellite thirdly, by increasing the mass |
If the primary and thereby consuming it's |
original velocity throuen Tue taking mp Of |
his increased addition to, its mass. How
'yer slight may be the ANIMAL average effect
hus produced, and assignable rdimiuution
# radius and increase OF, Eeloeity is attain I
.ble in a sufficient number, of years. and 1t |
nay be confidently set; doRlp as . matter Of
'ositiye scientific knowledge that if these 1
auses now in operation h, continue to .oper7 |
tie as efficiently as in the past, the inner
noon of Mars has simply reached a oondil
ion which all planets and satellites care /
estined ultimately to reach; and the time,
Vill come when Qua moon will rise in the
vest and set in the east. The innnr moan
+ Mars, Sy reason of going faster than the
lanet. presents this phehomenon now to
n inhabitant of Mars. Il