The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1883-05-12
VIVA IT'S THE MATTER WITH JUPI-
TER!


TER!
Late in the summer of 1878 Some-
thing happened on the planet Jupiter
which Immediately excited the atten-
ton Of astronomers the world over, and
gave rise to no end of curious specula-
tions. South of the southern equato-
rial belt of the planet an ObIong red
spot suddenly made its appearance. 1t
was so large and its color was 80 pro-
nounced that even the smallest tele-
scopes readily and clearly showed it.
Jupiter is q world in comparison with
which this earth is insignificant. In
order to circumnavigate Jupiter q sea
captain would have to sail as from the
earth 10 the moon and then go on a
distance greater than the circumfer
ence OF the earth in addition. If New
York and San Francisco were set down
on the surface of Jupiter at points cor
responding to their positions on the
earth they would be more than 90, 900
miles apart. 1t is no wonder, then.
that the astronomers felt a. little excite
ment when they saw a huge red spot
suddenly appear on the face Of Jupiter,
as if pugilistic comet had hit the
giant planet blow from the shoulder
and drawn blood. The red spot was
some 80 900 miles long and 5000 miles
broad-big enough to encirclo the
earth like a grand marshal's sash with
5000 miles to spare. Vet on Jupiter
this huge spot rcsembIed small red
blotch Oh an apple. Everybody who
looked at it with telescope felt an ir-
s~tS k<, sr,0,
Some guessed it was one Of the red-hot
continents of the yet burning planet
thrust up through the superintendent
vapors by some internal convulsion,
such as lifted up great masses of the
earth's crust in its early geological
days. Others surmised that it might
be an open ing rent through the cloudy
envelope Of the planet and showing its
glowing surface beneath. Some
thought it was a red cloud, and some
that it was fiery Stag cast up from the
pladetary furnace beneath. 1t was
soon discovered that it had q motion of
its own--at least that it performed its
revolution around the planet in Il
period different from that of some
light spots near the equator. This on
ly served to intensity the curiosity of
beholders.
Unexpectedly, last fall the great
spot began to fade. \ veil seemed to
have been drawn over it, and all its
outlines grew faint. Like fiery mon
ster which had only come to the sur
face to breathe, it seemed to be sink
ing 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 Disappear
ing monster.
But while one wonder is going Off
the stage another comes on. OF late
the general appearance of Jupiter's sur
face has greatly changed. Some power
appears to be at work changing not
only tho forms, but the colors of the
planets belts and spots, and Jupiter is
now exciting universal admiration by
the brilliant appearance of his broad
disk, streaked and notified with deli
cate tints of pink, red, sepia, and steel
blue. What is happening on the great
planet nobody knows, but it looks as
though it would be Il very unquiet
place Of abode for any but Il race OF sal.
amanders.