Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-06-06

Andrews. His case was continued for ten
days.
The Sum and Spectrum Analysis.
The following is a condensed report of the
remarks of James E. Chandler at the Free
Baptist church last Monday evening relative
to the latest phases of these important sci
entifc subjects
Mr.. Chandler began with the sun, repre-
senting its enormous size and distance. 1t is
a million and a quarter times larger than the
earth, and so far away that a train of cars
moving 80 miles an hour would require more
than $50 years to reach it. 1t is an incan-
descent mass. and upon its light, heat and
chemical force all forms of life depend
From earliest history mankind has ever been
searching its mysteries, but it has remained
for the science Of the past three decades to
find the key which unlocks them, and that
key is Spectrum Analysis. He showed the
"sun spOts," treating upon them, and the
"Photosphere," "Chromesphere," and ''Cor-
ona,' showing the latter as it appeared under
the telescope during the total eclipse of 1879.
as seen in Colorado, when the new planet
Vulcan was discovered. He stated
that il is proven beyond reasonable
uOupt tlt DtuN Ut UuCltus
Of the sun is burning white-hot
mass, consisting of elements like those of
the earth, and that probably these elements
there are in gaseous state, held certainly
at temperature enormously higher than that
of the hottest furnace. This fiery gas is
dense by reason of the intense pressure of
gravity. This central mass revOlves on its
axis once in 25 days, and on it rests the pho
tosphere," which is the bright shining Ssur
face we see and is the source of all our sun
light. Carefully examined under the best
ocular instruments it presents a peculi ar
mottled appearance, with light and greyish
streaks and filaments, compared by some
observers to ''rice grains" Though these
granulations appear very small, they really
are hundreds of miles in extent. The ques-
tion whether the photosphere be solid. liquid
or gaseous has received much discussion.
Though it may contain solid particles, all late
observations tend to prove that it
cannot be continuous solid, that
the spots are cavities in this photosphere is
proven, but more than that their nature
is yet open to question. They have peri
odicty of about eleven years, and for the past
year their frequency has been at a maximum.
Modern science indicates that there is con-
nection between these and terrestrial weather.
Certainly the cyclones Of the Indian ocean
seem more violent and frequent during
sun spot periods" Modern meteorology
is very likely to establish some prin-
ciple of cause and effect between
solar disturbance and our terrible west
ern cyclones, as lately reported. The pres
ent sun spot cycle has passed its maximum,
and they will gradually decrease till 1856
when they will be at a minimum. Soon
afterwards they will return BY degrees,
and in 1898 (eleven years from 1882 will
again be very frequent. They are sure to be
an important study for future research.
Outside the true solar surface, which is
this photosphere, lies the "Chromosphere,'
or region of 'red flames" Here is special.
ly VI ide field for scientific investigation. The
chromosphere forms continuous envelope
around the sun from 5000 to 10000 miles in
thickness, and consists of the vapors of the
elements volatilized in the intense heat of
the solar mass. 1t can not be seen except
during total eclipse, and then presents to
the eye light pinkish appearance seemingly
surrounding the moon. 1t is cOnst antly in
state Of intensest activity. The vapors of
the heavier metals like iron form its base,
and its upper portion is composed almost en-
tirely of incandescent hydrogen gas. In this
vast ocean of billowy fame solar storms and
fiery hurricanes occur which are immeasura-
bly, more intense than the iercest terrestrial
cyclones. Detached masses of hydrogen are
often seen to move with velocities OF more
than hundred miles a second There are
constant up rush and down rush currents of
the vspor of the elements of the solar mass.
In the upper regions they partially cool and
then descend. perhaps, in form of solar
rain.
Outside the chromosphere lies the corona.
forming another surrounding envelope. 1t
probably consists of a form of some highly
attenuated gas. and possibly suspended by
electrical repulsiOn. 4 multitude of such
facts has become known by reason of the
great discovery of the 10Th century, i. e.
Spectrum Analysis. By this is meant
a knowledge of the nature of a substance by
investigating the light it emits when lumin-
ous. This consists Of the decomposition OF
light by a three cornered piece of gass-a
prism. All are familiar with the seven colors
of the rainbow obtainable by it. When
beam of light is decomposed. sifted. or dis
titled as it were, it presents an image or view
called spectrum. The instrument with the
prisms is called spectroscupe, and by it the
nature of any burning substance is made
known with certainty by examining its ''spec-
trum" or distilled light. Thus, q ray OF light
from vaporized iron presents a spectrum
peculiar to iron, and always unlike that of
any other substance, and hence when we see
it we are certain that iron produced II, and
nothing else could produce it. SO with sodium
or common salt. II it be burned to yapor its
spectrum is peculiar to sodium, belongs to
it and can belong to nothing else. So with
all the sixty-six elements. They each have
spectra characteristic of itself, and one need
not be mistaken for another. Hence when
any single spectrum is seen there is not hes
itancy in naming its source. Sir Isaac New
ton decompOsed light and the peculiarities Of
terrestrial spectra have been known for half
q century, but it remained for two German
chemists twenty three years ago to explain
: certain phenomena, rendering it possible to
apply the science to successful study Of the
light of the heavenly bodies. But this has
been accomplished, and however marvellous
it may seem, it is proven that the substance
of the earth and the other heavenly bodies is
similar. and that the fixed stars indeed are
suns like our own. y