Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-11-12
ARE We TOBURN UP.
Some Interesting SpeculatiOns Re-
garding the Nature of the
SUNS Heat.
The Heat on the Earth During the
Prevalence Of Sun Spots
Increases.
The Sun is Surrounded by What
Might be Termed a Protective
Envelope.

Mig III uC 1CA HlCu q 1UttCtINO
Envelope.
The violent heat that so suddenly fol-
lowed the appearance of the great sun
spots in the latter part of June, says Gold
thwaites Geographical Magazine, no
doubt awoke in many minds questions as
to the nature and extent of the influence
exerted upon the earth by variations in
the condition Of the sun. There appears
to be no doubt that the radiative energy
of the sun is increased when the spots
break out upon the surface, and it seems
reasonable to conclude that the earth
must experience a greater degree of heat
at such times. Yet, singularly enough,
the best observation bearing on this
question indicate just the contrary con-
dition of things. 1t has been found In
India that the mean temperature is lower
instead of higher during the maximum
periods of sun spots. Such a result must
be brought about by terrestrial conditions
which are able in some way to reserve the
effect of increased radiation from the sun.
But a very great increase in the solar heat
could hardly be neutTalized in that way.
If, then, the sun at certain times suddenly
pours forth an extraordinary gush of heat,
the earth must take the consequence.
This whole subject becomes particu larly
significant in view of modern discoveries
concerning the nature and constitution of
such bodies as the sun. If not in name,
at least in practice, there exists science
of comparative solar physics. All the suns
of space are made to contribute to our
knowledge. Our own sun falls into a
special class and is found to be sharply
differentiated in many particulars from
the stars that do not belong in the same
category with itself.
Even the ancients knew, or at least sur
missed, that the stars are suns. but it re-
manned for the astronomers Of our day to
demonstrate that there is great variety
of suns. Still, through all the variations
there runs a family likeness and an evil
dent identity of ultimate constitution and
destiny So the different classes of suns
merge into one another by almost insensi-
BILE graduations. There is also evidence
that suns pass from one class into another,
either as the result of progressive develop
ment or in consequence OF the sudden out
break of transforming forces. The last is
of supreme interest to the inhabitants of
planet which, like the EARTH depends for
its prosperity, and even for its very exis-
tence, upon a solar orb that is liable to
stupendous changes. The periodical out
break of sun.spots in cycle of about
eleven years, alone sufices to place the sun
in the large and continually increasing
list of the so-called variable stars; and the
wild difference in the intensity of these
outbreaks at different times indicates that
we can not count upon the changes in the
suns radiative energy as we do upon such
comparatively regular variations as those
Of the seasons, which are capable of geom-
etrical calculation. So long as the
amount of the change is small and it has
been during the period covered by human
history, no serious results are to sbe appre-
hended, but there is no absolute certainty
that the change may not suddenly become
destructively great. Such an event is i'm
probable, buu not impossible. Not only
the sudden apparitions of new stars, but
the enormous changes of brilIiancy that
many well-known variable stars undergo,
furnish evidence of the potential capacity
of a sun to burst forth, upon suitable pro-
vocation, with an overwhelming energy of
radiation in the face of which no plane
tary life could survive.
The sun is surrounded with what, from
our point OF view, might be termed pro-
tective envelope, or atmosphere, which alb
serbs, as the spectroscope shows, large
part of the radiations proceeding from the
tremendous inner core of the solar globe.
other stars possess a singular absorptive
envelope, and in consequence are ranked
in the same class with the sun. In some
stars this envelope is far more effective in
producing absorption than is the case with
the sun, and such stars seem to be smould
ering and sinking toward extinction,
though In some cases they occasionally
flare up with furious outbursts, as though
struggling against impending fate. But
by far the greatest number of stars appear
to be less efectuaIly blanketed with alb
sorbing vapors than the sun is. Sirius, for
instance, the brightest star visible to us,
and Vega, one of the most brilliant orna-
ments of the midsummer evenings, shine
with a splendor and intensity Of radiation
far exceeding the suns, independently of
the greatest size Sirius, for instance,
pours out seventy or eighty times as much
light as the sun, although recent estimates
Of its mass show that it is perhaps not
more than four times as heavy The inten-
sity of Sirius radiation must then be
many times greater than that of the sun, in
consequence of the absence of an absorb
tive atmosphere capable of stopping a
large share of its rays. Life. bearing
planets could not possibly circulate
around Sirius at distances proportionate
to the earth's distance from the sun; and
if the curtain that screens off from US the
full fury of the solar light and heat were
withdrawn the life of the sun-smitten
globe might all vanish amid the vapors of
its steaming seas.
The spectroscope shows that the glowing
atmospheres of some of the stars occasion
ally fame up to ar intensity exceeding
that of the fiery Clio oes within them. That
kind of an accident happening to the sun
would be very awkward for US poor mort
ais, but the consoling fact remains that
the stars which exhibit this uncomfortable
peculiarly evidently belong in a different
class from that in which our great star at
present stands Yet unceasing change,
often in accordance with laws which we
do not understand. is the order of the uni
verse, and so having for our god of day
and of life an orb that we know is subject
to VARYING moods, we must not be to GER
tain that the ultimate fate of mankind, as
some people have concluded, is to be
frozen to death on an ice-enveloped and
sun-abandoned globe
DESERVING THE SHIP.
I L