Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-05-11
A BLofCH on JUPITER.
Astronomers AnxiousIy watching
the Planet to Discover what Is the
Eafrer

AnxiousIy watching
the Planet to Discover what Is the
Matter.
Late In the summer of 1878 some
thing happened on the planet Jupiter
which Immediately excited the atte2-
and gave rise to no end of carlous spec
uiations. South of the southern equa-
terial belt of the planet an oblong red
spot suddenly made its appearance.
1t was so large and its color was so
pronounced that even the smallest
telescope readily and clearly showed
1t. Jupiter is a world in comparison
with which this earth is Insignificant.
In order to circumnsvigste Jupiter a
sea captain would have to sail as far as
from the earth 10 the moon, and then
go on distance greater than the cir
c1n ference of the earth In addition. If
New York and San Francisco we're set
down on the surface of Juditer at
points corresponding TO their positions
on the earth, t1e5 would be more than
thirty thousand miles apart. 1t is no
wonder, then that the astronomers felt
a little excitement when they saw a
huge red spot suddenly appear on the
face OF Jupiter, as if pugilistic comet
had hit the grant planet blow from
the shoulder and draw blood. The red
spot was some thirty thousand miles
long and six thousand miles broad
big enoug a TO encircle the earth like a
grand msrshaps sash, with FIVE thous.
and miles tospare. Yet on Jupiter this
huge spot resembled small red blotch
on an apple. Everybody who looked
at 1t with a telescope felt an irresisti-
bic desire to know what it was. Some
guessed it was one of the red.hot con-
tlnents of the yet burning planet
thrust up through the superintendent
vapors by some internal CONFUSION,
such as lifted up great masses of the
earth's crust in its early geological
days. Others surmised that it might
be an opening 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
Elementary 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 q
period different from tkat of some
light spot near the equator. This only
served to intensity me curiosity of the
beholders.
Unexpectedly last fall the great spot
began to fade. A veil seemed to have
been drawn over it, and all its outlines
grew faint. Like a fiery monster
which had only come to the surface to
breathe, it seemed to BE- sinking back
again into the depth ofJupiter's cloudy
ocean. The latest news regarding this
phenomenon is that it has practically
ceased to be visible. The astrouomi-
cal 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 disappearing 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 10 be at work changing
not only the forms but the colors of the
planets belts and spots, and Jupiter is
now excited universal admiration by
the brilliant appearance of his broa |
disk, streaked and notified with deli
cate tents of pink, red, sepia, and steel
blue. What Is happening on the great
planet nobody knows, but it looks as
though it would be very unquiet
place or abode for any, but q race Of
salamande1s.-New York Sun.