The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-03-17
Our 0lio.
THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.


year for unless astronomical calculations
are in fault, this long-looked for star must
fash forth from the skydepths before the
year 1885 has completed its course, and it
may appear at any time, as its period, if it
have one, is very near completion.
In the year 1872, Tycho Brahe, a Dutch
astronomer, discovered new star near
Caph, in the constellation Cassiopea. 1t
was of the first magnitude when first seen,
increased rapidly in brilliancy, outshining
Sirius, and soon equaling Venus, and was
easily detected at noon-day by good observ-
ers. The color of the great star was at
first of dazzling white, then it changed
to yellow, and finally became red. 1t shone
brightly for nearly month, then gradual
ly faded, and in sixteen months disappear
ed from view.
There were at the time variety Of
opinions concerning the cause of the re-
markable phenomenon. Some observers
looked upon it as fresh creation, new
conner in the universe Other observers,
and the larger portion, considered it as
sun on fire, grand celestial confagration,
symbolizing the fate sure to overtake our
sun and his retinue of worlds when the
end of all things arrives. Astronomers
were content with various speculations on
the subject without coming to any definite
conclusion, though it was the general
opinion that the bright star in Cassiopea
had fulfilled its mission, and would never
again shine in the star-depths. A few
stars with similar history had been
observed at long intervals, and these, as
well as the brilliant newcomer, were in
cluded in class known as new or tempor-
airy stars.
Forty years after the occurrence of this
event, the telescope was invented. When
it was turned to the position in the heavens
occupied by the blazing star, telescope
star was found within minute Of the
identical spot which had been carefully
mapped out by Tycho Brahe This teles-
copic star is still found there, and is prob
ably the same star that suddenly famed
forth in 1872
The discovery that the famous star had
not ceased to exist stimulated investigation.
Astronomical annals were diligently search
ed. and it was found that similar bright
stars were recorded as appearing in the
same region of the sky in the years 945
and 1864. 1t is therefore inferred that
great new star of 1872 is avariable, with
period of few more than three hundred
years If this theory prove true, we may
soon hope to witness a repetition of this
incomprehensible phenomenon The last
period was three hundred and eight years.
The star was therefore due in 1880, and,
if it appear at all, must dazzle our admiring
eyes in the immediate future. By count
ing back three periods from the stars first
recorded appearance in 945, we are brought
to the near vicinity of the birth of Christ.
Observers gifted with poetic fancies have
not failed to connect the two events, and
to infer that the Star in the East pointing
to the place of the Nativity was the sud
den outburst of this extraordinary star.
Hence it has received the name of the Star
of Bethlehem.
About twenty-four temporary stars have
appeared from time to time in the last two
thousand years 1t is nearly y certain that
they all existed in the skies as very small
stars before they blazed forth, and that,
though apparently blotted out, they still
exist there, ready to blaze forth again when
the same conditions induce another confia-
grafton. They are now classified as variable
stars, though their long periods are of an
incomprehensible and irregular character.
Thus there are variable stars of many
varieties, from well-behaved variable like
Algol, that completes its regular changes in
a period little less than three days, to an
erratic variable like the star in CasslOpea,
that appears with sudden outburst and
then remains quiescent for centuries. In
the case of the regular variables, it is easy
to account for the maximum and minimum
light by the interposition of dark satellites,
hiding a portion of the light as they pass
between us and the star, or by the theory
of sun spots, lessening at times the light of
the star. Our sun is variable star, and
viewed from the nearest of the neighbor-
ing orbs probably shines as yellow star
of the third or fourth magnitude with
period of about eleven years, identical with
the sun spot cycle. In the case of ftful
variables, there is reason TO believe that the
sudden flames are due to outbursts of glow
ing hydrogen, resembling those Of which
the rosy protuberances around our sun
give an illustration of a small scale.
IF these outbursts are caused by erup-
tions of burning hydrogen, and if the
protuberances around the sun are due to
the same agent, the question naturally
arises whether there may not be danger of
similar outburst from the solar surface.
Such catastrophe would doubtless involve
the destruction of at least the higher forms
Of animal and Vegetable life. Such pos
sibility exists, but the probability is too
small to excite moments alarm. Only
twenty-four blazing suns have been observ-
ed in two thousand years, while millions of
stars have shone in the heavens, with a
constant and serene light that has remain