Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-05-24
WHAT IS The MATTER WITH
JUPITER?

Late in the summer of 1878 some
thing happened on the planet Jupiter
which Immediately excited the attention
of astronomers the world over, and
gave rise to no end of curious specula-
tions. South of the eq latorial slt of
the planet an oblong red spot suddenly
made its appearance. It was so large
and its color was so pronounced that
even the smallest telescopes readily and
clearly showed it. Jupiter is a world
in comparison with which this earth is
insignificant. In order to circumnavi-
gate Jupiter a sea-captain would have
to sail as far as from the earth to the
moon and then 60 on a distance great
er than the circumference of the earth
in addition. If New York and San
Francisco were set down on the surface
of Jupiter at points corresponding to
their position on the earth, they would
be more than 10000 miles apart. It is
no wonder, then, that astronomers felt
little excitement when they saw
huge red spot suddenly appear on the
face of Jupiter, as if a pugilistic comet
had hit the giant planet blow from the
shoulder and drawn blood. The red
spot was some 10000 miles long and
5000 miles broad-big enough to en-
circle the earth like grand marshal's
sash. with 5000 miles to spare. Yet on
Jupiter this huge spot resembles
small red blotch on an apple. Every
body who has looked at with telescope
felt an irresistible desire to know what
it was. Some guessed it was one Of the
red-hot continents of the yet burning
planet thrust up through the superin-
cumbent vapors by some internal con-
vulsion, such as lifted up great masses
of the earth's crust in its early geolog-
ical days. Others surmise ed that it
might be an opening rent through the
cloudy envelope of the planet and show
ing its glowing surface beneath. 1t
was soon discovered that it had mo-
ton of its own-ht least that it per-
formed it's revolution around the planet
in period different from that of some
light spots near the equator. This only
served to intensity the curiosity of the
beholders.
Unexpectedly, last fall the spot be
gan to fade. A veil seemed to have
been drawn over it, and all its outlines
grew faint. Like frey monster which
had only come to the surface to breathe,
it seemed to be sinking back again into
the depth of Jupiter's cloud ocean.
The latest news regarding this phe-
nomenon is that it has practically
ceased to be visable. The astronomic-
al monthies have stopped printing Ia
bles giving the time of its meridian pas
sage, and only the most gigantic tele-
scopes 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 ap-
pears to be at work changing not only
the forms but the colors of the planets
belts and spots, aud Jupiter is now ex-
citing universal admiration by the bril-
1iadt appearance of his broad disk,
streaked and mottled with delicate 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 a very unquiet place of
abode for any but race of salaman-
ders.-TNew York Sun.