Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1891-12-10
ARE WE TO BURN UP?
Speculations Regarding the Ma
ture of the SUMS Heat.
Increase of Heat on tho Earth During
the Prevalence of Sun Spots--The
SUMS Envelope Our Pro-
tector.

The violent heat that so suddenly
followed the appearance of the great
sun spots in the latter part Of June,
says Goldthwaite's Geographical Maga-
zine, no doubt awolSc 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 its 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 observations bearing
upon this question indicate just the
contrary condition 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 result must be brought
about by terrestrial conditions which
are able in some way to reverse the
effect of increased radiation from the
sun. But very great increase in the
solar heat could hardly be neutralized
in that way. If, then, the sun at GER
tain times suddenly pours forth an ex-
traordinary gush of heat, the earth
must take the consequences. This
whole subjecVbecomes particularly sig
ni6cant 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
a science of comparative solar physics.
All the suns of space are made to con
tribute to our knowledge. Our own
sun falls into 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 ut leas'
surmised, that the stars are suns, but
it remained for the astronomers OF oui
day to demonstrate that there is
great variety of suns Still, through
all the variations there runs family
likeness and an evidentldentity OF uiti
mate constitution and destiny sc
the different classes of suns merge
into one another by almost insensl
ble graduations. There is also ev'
idence that suns pass from Gne class
into another, either as q result OF pro
gressive development or in consequence
of the sudden outbreak OF transform
ing forces. The last fact is OF supreme
interest to the Inhabitants OF planet
which, like the earth, depends for Its
prosperity, and even for its very exist
ence, upon "a solar orb that is liable &c
stupendous changes. The periodical out
break of sun-spots in cycle OF about
eleven years alone suffices to place the
sun in the large and continually IN
creasing list of the so-called variable
stars; and the wide difference in the
intensity of these outbreaks at diffcr
ent times indicates that we canno
count upon the changes in the suns ra
diative energy as we do upon such com
paratively regular variations as tnos'
of the seasons, which are capable O.
geometrical calculation. SO long a.
the amount of the change is smaii' ane
it has been during the period covered
by human history, no serious results
are to be apprehended, but there is ne
absolute certainty that the change mal
not suddenly become destructivei,
great Such On event is impropaol'
but not jyzssible. Not. Not or only y sn sm'
sudden apf of new stars, ou
also th2 will the nous IhsrsSS i,,no5Sn Va
brilliancyAl punjshany welrnno"A t,rn;sh sv;
dence Of i Gal capacity of
sun to bf -an suitable prov
ocation. 6HSss ielming encrg,
- radia - of which NJ
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