The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-05-20
The Travels of the Sun.

Tho mildness OF the nights and the general
clearncss of the air in the latter part OF May,
aud during June up to the summer sOlstice,
combine to make this the most favorable
season for viewing tho double stars. Fortu-
nately, at this same season many of the most
beautiful and celebrated double stars in tho
heavens are favorably situated for observa-
ton. A double star Is ono which appears
single to the naked eye, but which when
viewed with a telescope is seen to be COM
posed of two stars, generally OF different
magnitudes, and often Of different colors.
There are also triple stars, quadruplc stars
octuple stars, and stars in clusters as thick
as swarm of golden bees. The interest in
these wonderful objects is greatly height
ened when We reflect that they are not mere
shining specks or points. but huge suns,
which appear minute simply on account Of
their immense distance from us. In many
cases direct proof has been obtained that
these double and triple suns ore actually
held In leash by their mutual gravita-
tion, and arc swinging around and
around like giants holding one another at
arms length. II there are any planets
obcying the attraction OF these graphing
suns, tho scene presented to them must be
strange beyond description. This singular
ity is heightened by the contrast in the col
ors OF many Of tho double stars. Some OF
these colors, and tho manner In which they
are contrasted, produce most charming ef-
fects For instance, the star called Mirac in
Bo6tes really consists Of two stars, one OF
which IL orange, and the other pure sea
green. Albireo, in the constellation of the
SHrov ieta Il "A To-
digo blue star. In the double star Eta Cas-
siopee the colors are white and purple; in
Zeta Orionis they are yellow and O most
strange unnamed color, unlike any of the
hues OF the rainbow, or any Of the pigments
known to artists; in ri Leporls the colors
are white and deep scarlet. Think OF a
world lighted by two suns, one pouring forth
white rays and the other blood-red rays, and
one perhaps rising when the other sets,
producing in the sky an alienation Of these
colors!
In view Of the singular phenomena pre-
sented by the double stars, 1t Is n startling
thought that as the sun pursues his long
journey through space. he may possibly fall
In with travelling companion In the shape
OF another sun as large as or larger than
himself, and so become member OF double
star system. While the motions Of the double
stars furnish evidence that the law OF gravi-
tation extends throughout the universe, yet
we have no evidence that the clock-llke regu.
larity with which tho planets in our system
pursue their elliptical paths governs all the
motions OF the heavenly bodies Tho sun
and tho stars are journeying in various
directions through space, but, except in the
nnftl ,a I<N,,h 90, 4 49,
they are moving In regular orbits. In fact,
We know that some stars, like the celebrated
1880 GroOmbridge, which has been called
runaway sun, are rushing ahead at such a
velocity that all the gravitating power Of all
the bodies In the known universe cannot
stop them. II. then. the stars, including
our sun. arc moving like swarming bees IN
v>rious directions. come Of them. whose