Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-06-02
SPOTS UPON JUPITER.

Late in the summer of 1878, says writer
in the Cleveland Herald, something hap
pened en- the planet Jupiter which imme-
diately excited the attention of astrono.
mers the world over, and gave rise to no
end of curious speeulations. South of the
southern equatorial belt of the planet an
oblong red spot suddenly made its appear
ance. 1t was so large and its color was so
pronounced that even the smallest tele-
scopes readily and clearly showed it. Jul
piter Is a world in comparison with which
this earth is insignificant. In order to cir
eumnavigate Jupiter sea captain would
have to sail as far as from the earth to the
moon and then go on distance greater
than the circumference of the earth In adj
dition. II New York and San Francisco
were set down on the surface of Jupiter at
points corresponding to their positions on
the earth they would be more than 80, 900
miles apart. 1t is no wonder then that the
astronomers felt little excited when thew
saw huge red spot suddenly appear on
the face of Jupiter, as if pugilistic comet
had hit the giant planet a blow from the
! shoulder and drawn blood. The red spot
was some 80, 900 miles long and {, 900 miles
broad-big enough to encirele the earth
! like a grand marshars sash, with 8, 900
miles to spare. Yet ON Jupiter this huge
spot resembled small red blotch on an
apple. Every body who looked at it with
telescope felt an irresistible desire to
know what it was. Some guessed it was
one of the red.hot continents of the yet
| burning planet thrust up through the su-
perincumbent vapors by some internal con-
vulsion, such as lifted up great masses of
| the earth's crust in It's early geological
! days. Oilers surnised that it might be
an opening rent through the cloudy envel-
ope Of the planet and showing its glowing
surface beneath. Some thought it was a
red cloud, &1a some that IL was fiery Stag
cast up from the planetary surface beneath.
/ It was soon discovered that it had mo-
ton of its own--at least that it performed
its revolution around the planet in period
different from that OF some light spots near
| the equator. This only served to intensity
4 the curiosity of beholders. Unexpectedly
last fall the great spot began to fade. A
veil sesmed to have been drawn over it,
and all Its outlines grew faint. Like fiery
monster which had only come TO the sur.
/ face to breathe, II seemed TO be sinking
| back again into the depths of Jupiter's
cloud ocean. The latest news regarding
this phenomenon is that it has practically
ceased to be visible. The astronomical
monthlies have stopped printing tables
giving the time of its meridian passage.
and only the most gigantic telescopes are
able to give slight glimpses of the disap-
pearing monster. But while one wonder
is going off the stage another comes on.
! OF late the general appearance OF JupIter's
| surface has greatly changed. Some power
appears to be st work changing not only
/ the forms but the colors Of the planets
belts and spots, and Jupiter is now excit-
ing universal admiration by the brilliant
appearance of his broad disk, streaked and
notified with delicate tints Of pink, red,
sepia and steel blue. What is happening
on the great plAnetnobody knows, but it
looks as though it would be a very unquiet
place OF abode for any but race of sala-
manders.