The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-02-13

together revolving around third. The
resemblance goes even further, for the
smallest star of the three revolves
around the second in size, and that in
its turn around the largest
Another step, however, and the anal
ogy breaks down, for the earth and the
moon are Opaque bodies, simply reflect
ing the light of the sun, while all the
members of triple star system are
solar orbs. Moreover, the earth and the
moon are practically almost infinitesi-
NAL in magnitude as compared with the
sun, while the smaller stars in the triple
system are comparatively large bodies.
In the matter of distance, too, there is a
wide difference, the components Of
multiple stellar systems being generally
separated from one another by far
greater distances than that of the earth
from the sun.
But some recent discoveries are calcu-
lated to awaken the hope that we shall
eventually obtain at least a partial
solution OF the question of the existence
OF planets in the sidereal systems. The
spectroscope, which has achieved so
many wonderful things for the astron-
omers, has again proven their friend in
this case, and, aided by photography,
has detected the existence of double
stars so close that no telescope could
possibly separate them to the eye More
than that some of the stellar doubles
thus disco, cred consist of luminous
star and a nonluminuus one. We have
but to adopt different phraseology.
suggested by analogy. and these strange
couples are presented to our minds as
sun and planet.
Perhaps the most remarkable of these
interesting doubles is the celebrated star
Algol the periodic variations of whose
light have been known and watched for
centuries. Professor Vogers spectro-
scopic investiga tfons indicate that there
is a dark body revolving around the star
In period of less than three DAYS. and
at distance of about $3.50 900 miles.
According to computations based upon
the data obtained by Vogel, the diam
eter of Algol is 1,116,O0O miles, or $685.
600 miles greater than that of our sun,
willie the diameter of its strange COM
panion, OF satellite. is 840,0 miles, be-
ing 10000 miles less than the suns. But
the density of these huge bodies is sin
gularly slight, so that their combined
mass is only two-thirds as great as that
of the sun. From this it is easy to see
that the dark member of the system.
the planet, if we may so call it, is moro
than LOCO 600 times as large as the
earth, and about so, 600 times as heavy.
There is one consideration, independ-
ent of its slight density, which would
seem to dispose of the possibility that
this strange planetary consort of AIgol
can harbor living beings. If we assume
that AlgoPs radiative energy equals the
SUMS, then it must overwhelm its at
tendant orb with gush of heat 900
times as intense as the solar heat that is
poured upon the earth. This results
from the fact that the distance of the dark
companion from Algol is only about
one thirtieth of the earth's distance from
the sun. while the intensity of light and
heat varies lnversely as the SOU r. Of
the distance.
Another star that has close compan-
ion which, although itself invisible, re-
veals its presence by the effects Of its
attraction upon its brilliant neighbor, is
Spica, the leader of the Constellation
Virgo, and one of the most beautiful
stars in the heavens. Here there is no
such ipsing of the light of Spca by
the dark attendant as occurs with AL
gol, and the data thus far obtained are
far less complete than those of the last
named STAR 1t would seem, however,
that in this instance also. the planet,
If planet it be, is of enormous dimen-
sion and revolves very close to its
primary, the distance being estimated
at from 3,000,000 to 5000, 600 miles.
Regel, the splendid twinkler in the left
foot of Orion, has also given indica-
lions that it has close and invisible
satellite of as yet unknown dimensions.
1t has long been known that Procvon,
another first magnitude star, has an in
visible companion, and, with the new
methods of research, something may be
earned of its size and distance We do
lot here refer to the recent discoveries
Mia in Ursa Major. and
Beta Aurig@. because the companions
If those stars, situated at distances of
40, 100000 miles and 900, 900 miles, re-
Ipectlvely, are luminous bodies and cor
can not resemble planets in
heir physical conditions. although tIls
doctrine of celestial evolution teaches
hat eventually they may pass from the
olar into the planetary state by the ex-
laustion of their radiations
1t will be noticed thai in every case
lie dark b, dies discovered among the
tars. which by stretch of the imagi-
la ion may he likened to planets, are Of
sreat magnitude as compared with the
'lanets IF our sol system. This may
lot he as serious AN objection to their
abitability as their nearness to their
is; and yet, according to our
experience, globe $4,000
lines as heavy as the earth and 100
lines as great i'll diameter would make
strange anode. On such a globe an
verage son of Adam would weigh not
ess than 700 or 800 pounds, unless his
dimensions were proportion d to the in
ensity of the gravity, in which case lie
rould be only between foot and Is
lches tall.
1t is more agreeable, however, to sup
ose that some unthought of peculiarity
/ organization, such as the slight dens-
" of the p.anet readily suggests, would
nable the man to be at the same time
mp sing in stature and graceful and
gile in movement, for the Imagination