The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-10-20
The Work Of Astronomers for 1880.

The Smithsonian Institution has col
lected statistics concerning the progress
of astronomy in the United States,
which are published in an interesting
report. In the fall OF 1879 circulars
were scattered over the country. re-
questing professional and amateur
astronomers TO send to Washington
brief accounts of their instruments and
their observations. Replies were re-
ceived from forty-one observatories, of
which twenty-four are private and the
others are connected with colleges or
academies. Several of the observers
have constructed their own telescopes,
and many have made their observations
from door-yards, windows and roofs.
The story of their experiences is all the
more interesting ON that account. Many
of the most important discoveries in the
heavens have been made by observers
who had to deprive themselves of need.
0t sleep, and to work without any OF
the costly equipments of an observa-
tory. This report shows that the
astronomers of the door-yard and the
roof have fairly kept pace with those
who make their observations seated in
the padded chairs of the big observa-
tories They may comfort themselves
with the recollection that William
Herschers observatory was his garden.
The various objects chosen for special
observation indicate the direction in
which the Science is being chiefly de-
veloped. This is Enthusiastically toward
the practical side. Thus fifteen OF the
forty-one observers have given special
attention to the determination OF exact
time. This is matter of the first inn
portance, for what Edward Everett
called the eternal clockwork of the
skies is the source of all our calcula-
tions that depend upon the lapse of
time. SThirteen of the observers have
devoted themselves specially to the
study of the sun. Recent observations
tend more and more to prove that the
sun influences the earth's weather, and
thatrWhen the causes that produce sun
spots are most active the earth Is subject
to the most violent meteorological dis
turbanceS.
Twelve observers have spent most of
their time in Watching for comets.
These self-appointed sentinels are by no
means to be regarded as mere curiosity
hunters. Astronomers admit that the
earth may be in danger from comets.
If one should fall into the sun it would,
in all probability, produce such an out
burst of heat as to destroy every living
thing on the earth. The comet of 1880
was aimed so close to the sun that even
Newton feared it would strike it. The
great comet of 1913 went yet closer.
In factyitzgr grazedthe sun, and the great
usun1spot that appeared in that,year, is
believed.toz have been causedgby the
fall of an enormous meteoric mass fol-
lowing in thetrack of the comet. 10 has
also been suggested that the outburst
OF light in the sun on September l,
1869, which was accompanied by an
electric shock that produced startling
effects in various quarters of the earth,
was caused by the downfall of other
meteors belonging to the train of the
same comet.
The next most interesting celestial
object for our star gazers appears to
have been Jupiter. Eleven observers
have paid special attention to him. The
wonderful red spot that has adornedt the
disk of the giant planet for over two
years has attracted many telescopes,
and has given rise to a great number OF
speculations. The conclusion seems to
be that Jupiter is not yet habitable
globe, but is a red-hot ball that is grad
ually cooling down. so that ages hence,
when the earth is dead, like it's COM
rade, the moon, life may bloom out in
Jupiter.
Next to Jupiter in popularity comes
Saturn. Seven observers have taken
particular pains to study his splendid
rings and the little swarm OF eight
moons circling about him.
Four have watched Mars, three Mer-
curry, one Uranus, and one Neptune.
Two have spent much time among the
barren mountains of the moon, measur-
ing the height of lofty peaks, triangu-
lating in the beds of dried up oceans,
and searching in hooks and corners
from the Bay OF Rainbows to the crater
of Tycho for some possible indication
of remaining life.
Three observers have been Watching
for glimpse of the shy planet Vulcan,
which, as its name implies, does not
fear to face the fiery sun at close quar-
ters; one has been looking out for as
teroids, and three have kept watch for
meteors and shooting stars.
The nebul;e have attracted special at
teItion from one observer, though it is
probable that since Prof. Draper has
recently succeeded in photographing
the nebule they will be more studied.
The gaseous nebule are believed to be
solar systems yet in state of chaos.
without form and void. Three observ-
ers have paid special attention to pho.
tographing the moon, stars and planets,
and four have spent most of their time
with the double stars, which are among
the most beautiful of all celestial OBJ
jects. Counting and making charts of
stars has chiefly occupied the time of
four others.
The Smithsonian Institution has sent
out new circulars, and next year still
more interesting report may be looked
fnr N Y Sam