Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-03-08
5f1istellaueuns &eadiug,
THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.
The reappearance of the variable star po
etically known as the Star of Bethlehem is
among the possibilities Of the present year
for unless astronomical calculations are in
fault, this lOnged-for star must flash forth
from the sky depths before the year 1885 has
completed it's course, and it may appear al
any time, as it's period, if it has one, is very
near completed.
astronomer, discovered a new star near
Caph, in the constellation CassiOpea. ItWas
one of the first magnitude when first seen,
increased rapidly in brilliancy, outshining
Sirius, and soon equaling Venus, and was
easily detected at monday by good observ.
ers. The color of the great star was at first
of dazzling white, then it changed to vel.
low. and finally became red. 1t shone
brightly for nearly month, then gradually
faded, and in sixteen months disappeared
from view.
There were at the time variety of Opln-
ions concerning the cause of this remarkable
phenomenon. Some observers looked upon
it as fresh creation, new conner in the
universe. Other observers, and large
portion, considered it a sun on fire, a grand
celestial confagration, symbolizing the fate
sure to Overtake our sun and his retlnue OF
worlds when the end Of all things arri yes.
Astronomers were content with various
speculations on the subject without coming
to any definite conclusion, though it was
the general opinion that the brighter star in
Cassiopea had fulfilled his mission, and
would never again shine in the star-depths.
A few stars with a similar history had been
observed at long intervals, and these, as
we'll as the brilliant newcomer, were in
cluded in a class known as new and tempo
rary 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 star, a telescope star was
found within minute of the identical spot
which had been carefully mapped out by
found there, and is probably the same star
that suddenly famed forth in 1872.
The discovery that the famous star had
not ceased tOeXist stimulated Investigation.
Astronomical annals redilligently 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 the great new
star of 1872 is variable, with period of a
few more than three hundred years Ifthis
theory prove true, we may soon hope to
witness a repetition of this incomprehensi-
BILE phenomenon. The lastperiod was three
hundred and eight years. The star was
therefore due in 1880, and, if tappear at all,
must dazzle our admiring eyes in the imme-
diate future. BY counting back three Pc
riods from the stars first recorded appear
ance in 945, we are brought to the near vi
cinity 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 sudden outburst of this eX-
traordinary 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 certain that
they all existed in the skies as very small
though apparently blotted out, they still
exist there, ready to blaze forth again when
the same conditions induce another cOnfla-
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 va
rieties, from we'll behaved variable like
Algot, that completes its regular changes in
period little less than three days, to an
erratic variable like the star in Cassiopea,
that appears with a 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 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 neighborlng
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 fitful variables
there is reason to believe that the sudden
flames are due to outbursts of glowing hy-
drogen, resembling those of which the rosy
protuberances around our sun give an illus
| tratiOn on small scale.
If these outbursts are caused by eruptlons
of burning hydrogen, and if the protuber
ances around the sun are due to the same
agent, thequestion naturally arises whether
there may not be danger of similar out
bursts from the solar surface. Such catas
trophe would doubtless involve the destruc
ton of at least the higher forms of animal
and vegetable life. Such possibility eX
lists, but the probability is too small to ex'
cite moments alarm. Only tWenty-toul
blazing suns have been observed in two
thousand years, while millions ofstars have
shown in the heavens, with constant anC
since men began to study these tWinkline
mysteries. The chances that the sun viii
blaze forth in the erratic style of the star
1872, are therefore not more than one IN s
million, no greater than the probability
that huge comet will plunge headlong into
the sun, or come into collision with the
earth.
Observers will do we'll to keep an eye up
on the constellation Cassiopea. Unscientiti'
observers are as likely to be the first to de
tect the presence of the brightly beamlne
orb as those who possess special training
for the work. If the lost Star of Bethlehem
return to it's old position in the sky, it mus
return speedily, for every day increases tht
nearness of the advent. The year 1883 may
therefore, be made illustrious by celestia
visitor with dozen comets, an event tina
would be almost as welcome to astronomer
as the discovery of the cause of sun spots, o.
the accurate determination of the suns dis
tance.
Cassiopea is constellation eXcellentlN
situated for observation. 1t is on the oppo
site side of the pole from the Great Dipper
and at nearly the same distance. A linz
drawn through Megrim, one of the stars il
the square of the Dipper, continued to tn
tapce beyond, will reach Caph, star of tht
third magnitude in Cassiopea. This sta
with three others of about the same magni
tude and smaller one form the figure of al
inverted chair. AS in this latitude the con
stellation is always above the horizon, i
can be seen at all hours of the night -'Scie'a
tifc american.
TEXAS AND HADEs.-A Virginian, VIII
had long resided in Texas, in letter to tn
= Richmond South, gives his experience an(
observations in that country. We repro
duce it for the information Of such, if any
in South Carolina. who may be afflicted