The Portland daily press., 1895-05-03
sATURN's RING.
Viewed in the Light of Recent Alleged
Astronomical Discovery.
fFrom the indianapolis Journal0

fTrom the indianapolis Journalo
If Prof. Keeler of Pit tsburg has positively
demonstrated and established the fact thai
the ring of Saturn is composed of innumer
able small satellites, he has achieved 6
notable feat in astronomical discovery. The
theory that the ring is SO composed is moi
new entirely. but it has mover neen FULLY
verified. Prof. Keeler's process of reason
ing is not only scientific, but exceedingly
ingenious, and it seems that he has solved
an astronomical problem of long standing.
The ring of Saturn is itself one of the
strangest mysteries of astronomy. Why
Saturn alone of all the planets Of the solar
system should have a ring is Incompetent
sible. Jupiter, which is more than three
times as large as Saturn, has no ring. and
all the smaller planets get along without
one, Saturn alone being supplied with the
exceptional and apparently useless append
age. The ring consists of three apparent
rings, lying in one plane and of different
degrees of density. The inner edge of the
ring is s, 500 miles from the planet itself. and
it's tctal diameter is l72, 500 miles. 1t was
first discovered i'm 1863, and has been more
or less subject of speculation and obserya-
tion by astronomers ever since. II was at
first assumed to be solid. but that theory
was abandoned. Then the accepted theoI y
for long time was that it consisted of a
vast number of particles or minute bodies
free to move relatively to one another; in
short, that it was fluid. The theory was
largely conjectural.
For about twenty-five years past the ring
of saturn has been subject Of continual
81. \ \.
ing telescopes in all parts of theyworld have
been pointed at it at regular and fre-
aUent intervals, and there have been few
nights in the year when sharp and learned
eyes have not been trying to unravel it's
mystery. In 1870 NJ. Teouvelot, a French
astronomer of note. at that time in This
country, but who afterward returned to
France, began series of observations of
Saturn, first with his own telescope at
Cambridge. Mass. and later with the much
larger ones at Harvard University and the
observatory at Washington. IL 1870 he an
nounced some interesting conclusions. but
none touc hing the composition of the ring
except that ''the matter composing the
dusky ring" meaning the part nearest the
planet itself. ''is agglomerated here and
there into small masses. which almost
wholly prevents the light Of the plauet
from reaching the eye of he observer
From 1875 to 1877 Crofthall of Washington
made series of observations which led
to 10 definite conclusion beyond con 6rming
Mr.. Teouyelot's 8 description of the appear
anoe of the dusky part of the ring as ''some
what like particles of dust floating in a
ring of light traversing dark chamber
In 1881 DR.. Meyer, Swiss astronomer,
made series of observations which led to
a careful revision of the figures relative to
the dimensions of Saturn and the diameter
of the ring. Prof. kirkwood of this state
had, as early MS 1868, demonstIa ated that the
division in the ring or the space between
its inner and outer parts was due to the
disturbing in 1uence of Jupiter, and this
led DR.. Meyer and others 10 the onclusion
that the ring was formed of separate par
ticles moving round the planet TO certain
extent as independent satellites. Owing
to the pt culiar position OF the ring from
1884 to 1886. inclusive, the winters of those
years were more favorable for study ing
Saturn and its ring than any which will
occur again till 1914. During these years
the great refractor at the Washington OBJ
seryatory was frequently pointed at the
Saturnian system. but no material addition
was made 10 the ali ock of knowledge on the
subject. Observations of an eclipse uf one
of Saturn's satellites in 1889, made at tho
Lick observatory, California. showed that
the ring cast as dense a shadow as that
the planet iteself, and this was thought to
disproye the theory that the ring is made
ny of vast number of satellites, since no
ft.,r hnxu fhn
thought they could not have the effect of an
OPAQUE body.
From this brief outline OF Saturnian OBJ
servations during the lnst twenty five or
thirty years, an outline which conveys nc
adequate idea of the patient research, pro-
found study and immense learning which
have been brought to hear on the subject,
it will be seen that not much advance has
been made in determining the character
and composition of the ring. Astronomers
can estimate its masses, determine its dis
tance from the planet, measure its diameter
and calculate it's mathematical elements.
bet what it is composed Of OF what purpose,
If any,it serves in the economy of the uni
verse they have not been able to discover.
The most powerful telescopes have re-
vealed more clearly the proper tions and
outlines of the ring. but its composition
has remained an irsoluble mystery. If
Prof. keeler has succeeded in solving il
and Can demons rate the corree,n ness of his
solution be VIII have earned undying fame
in the astronomical world Saturn already
has twice as many moons as any other
planet III the solar system. namely. eight,
while our earth has only one, and Jupitar,
which is far larger planet than Saturn,
only four If the ring is really composed
OF moons Saturn could affold to spare few
for the other planets.