National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-05-06
THE BEAUTIFUL AURORA.


Sun-Spots-Sprc tIntiOns.
Some forty years ngo, when Sir George Airy was
iirst made Astronomer Royal of England, he pro-
phcs'ed that the next great discovery in nstron-
omy would be concerning the aurora borealis.
lie claimed that scientific investigation must soon
discover the nature Of this mysterious phenome-
non, and that $ connection with electricity and
especially with the spots on the SUM- would lead to
important results in soar physics. Sir George Airy
himself did not pay any great attention to tile full
hllment Of his own prophecy, but, at any rate, his
words seem to begin to bear fruit, and various
little premonltory SYMPTOMS point toward a reveal
ton which may soon be given us in the almost un-
known region of electricity.
TWAS observed at the beginning Of this century
that tho
sUN.sPoTs GRADUALLY INCREASED
In size ard number durirg period Of about five
and half years, that they then decreased for the
same time, then increased ogaln. and so on-the
period from one maximum to another being about
eleven years. In 1878, for days together, there
would be no spots lrrge enough TO be seen with
small telescope. Eighteen hundred and eighty
two has como and the increasing number ofspots
shows tho usual activity of the suns surface
at the maximum period This regularity Is suil.
GENTLY interesting in ITSELF and no satisfactory
explanation has as yet been offered: but when II
was Observed that the aurora had exactly the
same period, and that the latter was connected
WIN TCHlhTkhnle eleCttlchl ueVelopmcOtst tue CO.
incidence was indeed striking Up to the present
time tho connection OF the aurora with sun.spos
has been received by the best astronomers with
considerable mental reservation. The occurrence
Of
GREAT AURoRAs
in 1869 and in 1901 was strkingly in accordance
with the theory, but still 1t was claimed that this
might have been merely accidental in both cases
"1f" II was said, 1--WE have frequent and brilliant
bptNVppn nd do
the connection established, and II will be time
enough then 10 go 10 work to find out the cause'
The records Of last year moItion some remarkably
interesting spots, but the most ardent observer
could find nothing peculiar in the scnnty displays
of the northern lights, and the theorists begant
think themselves on doubtful ground.
THE BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY
of two weeks ago was however, n most reassuring
one. 1t came just in time to revive n slightly
wavering belief in the theory, and the numerous
displays since then In various parts OF the country
have served 10 make assurance doubly sure. Al.
ready few jealous astronomers have attacked the
prob EN-, and we may hope that within n iew years
tie explanation of 1t will lead to mot important
discoveries in regard to the sun itself In the tor
rid zone the northern lights are rarely seen, and
they increase in frequency as we go norihward. II
is curious TACT, however that they are most fire.
quent rot at the Narth Pole of the EARTH but near
the Arctic circle, where the
NORTH POLE OF THE MAGNETIC NEEDLE
is supposed to be situated. There Is abundant
evidence that the aurora is Intimately connected
with the electricity of the earth. During bril-
liant display such strong and irregular currents
pass through the telegraph wires that 1t is difficult
10 send dispatch. Sometimes tile current runs
win such force that q message may be sent With
out battery Two weeks ago, while the northern
sky was brilliantly illuminated by the I, sy light
the extra current SGT fire 10 the switch board OF
the Springfield Mass, Telegraph Office, and only
the timely pre- sence of the operator prevented
large contagration Before the spcctroscole came
into use these electric phenomena gave Use to the
UNA mi ralN tn attr
rents OF electricity passing thr ugh the upper air
from one pole to another. Spectrum analysis de-
liarity, inasmuch as the spectra Of dihe ent au-
roras seldom agree. The aurora bOreals is, in
fact, one OF the most remarknb Q phel. onena seen
in the sky but, in the words of one of our Ameri-
can astronomers, 81 must BE- included among those
things in which modern oh. eryations have opened
up more difficulties than modern theories have ex-
planned"