Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-05-04
sun STORMS AND AURORAS.
The Great Sun Spot Now Near the
Western Edge Of the Luminary.

The great sun spot which was visible
q few days ago withouta a telescope, and
which there is strong reason to believe
was connected with the splendid auroras
and great magnetic disturbances of last
week, is now nearing the western edge
of the sun, where, through the effect of
foreshortening, it is no longer visible
without optical aid. In the telescope il
is still wonderful object.
Reports from observations in different
parts of the country show that it has
been noticed and closely studied by the
astronomers. On the 10th inst, when it
was approaching the center of the disk,
L. exhibited the greatest disturbance. A
portion of the suns surface more than a
Thousand million square miles in extent
was heaving and whiling and tossing
under the tremendous force at work
Chasms, some of which by measurement
were several thousand miles across,
yawned within this area, their jagged
and shining edges and deep purple
abysses showing splendidly even in small
telescopes. Bright tongues projected
from the sides over the central chasms,
and in some places narrow bridges of
snowy whiteness crossed them. These
holes were of every conceivable size and
shape, and around them all was the vast
penumbral shade, resting like veil up
on the face of the sun, and indicating to
the trained observer the limits and ex-
tent of the great depressed area in
which the still deeper chasms were
formed.
All the minor features of the great
spot were continually changing. An
hours watching revealed changes which,
though slight compared with the vast
extent of the spot appeared marvellous
when little figuring showed the rapid
ity of the motions that were taking
place.
The evening of the 10th was clear, and
the sun could be watched until it touch
ed the horizon. The tremendous dis
turbances that had revealed themselves
during the afternoon Continued at sun :.
set. The astronomers put up their tele-
scopes to wait for the morning, when the
study of the great spot could be renew
ed; but hardly had the twilight faded
before in the north, in the direction of
one of the earth's magnetic poles, pale
green light began to glow, and presently
an arch was formed, and then the mys-
lCllOuo Cul ldluo VI tuC 6u1Ota hClG 81
lently swayed and shaken in the heavens
Z At the same time Telegraph lines and
the Atlantic cable were crippled, and the
magnetic needle showed the greatest ex-
citement. The effects of the great sun
spot, or rather the effects of the forces
which produced it, were being felt by
the earth, and it was responding to the
magnetic thrill communicated from the
sun.
The great spot continued during the
week to show signs of intense activity,
and almost every night the auroral
streamers were shaken in the north, al
though the first display of Sunday night
was unequaled by any that followed.
That the magnetic disturbance did not
cease so long as the auroras lasted, those
whose business suffered through delays
in the telegraph know too well.
At first sight it SENS startling prop
osition to assert that the sun has it in
its power thus to interfere with the
workings of the Atlantic cable, and to
interrupt to no slight extent the CORE
spondence and business between two
continents. Nothing that the ancient
fable makers related of Phebus and his
Car of Day was more wonderful than
this. 1t would be yet more startling,
however, if these who believe that the
tornadoes and other atmospheric dis
turbances, which have made the month
Of April remarkable in meteorological
annals, are also due to the disturbances
in the sun, could establish their theories
as scientific facts.
The power of the sun is only just be-
ginning to be appreciated, even by men
of science, and it is impossible to predict
centrated upon this subject will end.
promising field open to it.-lN. Y. Sun.