Evening star., 1895-04-27
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ABSOLUTELY PURE
ABSOLUTELY PURE
SATURN'S RING.
Viewed in the Light of n Recent Al
legged Astronomical Discovery.


Viewed in the Light of n Recent Al
legged Astronomical Discovery.
From the indianapolis Journal.
If Prof Keeler of Pittsburg has positively
demonstrated and established the fact that
the ring of Saturn is composed of innumer-
able small satellites, he has achieved
notable feat in astronomical discovery. The
theory that the ring is so composed is not
new entirely. but 1t has never been fully
verified. Prof. Keeler's process Of reason
ing is not only scientific, but exceedingly
ingenious. and 1t 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 appen-
dage The ring consists of three apparent
rings. lying In one plane and of different
degrees of density. The inner edge of the
ring is $500 miles from the planet itself,
and Its total diameter Is 172,SO0 miles. 1t
was first discovered in 1859, and has been
more or less a subject of speculation and
observation by astron 'mers ever since. 1t
was at first assumed to be solid, but that
theory was abandoned. Then the accepted
theory for a long time was that 1t consist
ed of a vast number of particles or minute
bodies free to move relatively to one an
other; in short that 1t was fluid. The the
ory was largely conjecturaL
For about twenty-five years past the ring
of Saturn has been subject of continual
vigilance and study by astronomers. Search
ing telescopes in all parts of the world
have been pointed at it at regular and fire.
quent intervals, and there have been few
nights In the year when sharp and learned
EYES have not been trying to unravel its
mystery. In 1870 NJ. Teouvelot, French
astronomer Of note. at that time in this
country. but who afterward returned to
France, began a series of observations OF
Saturn, first with his own telescope at Cam
bridge, Mass. and later with the much
larger ones at Harvard University and the
observatory at Washington. In 1915 he an
nounced some Interesting conclusions. but
none touching the composition Of the ring
except that "the matter composing the
dusky ring" meaning the part nearest the
planet itself, 'fis agglomerated here and
there into small masses, which almost Who'll
ly prevents the light of the planet from
reaching the eye of the observer" From
1915 to 1877 Crofthall of Washington made
series of observations which led to no
definite conclusion beyond confirming Mr..
Teouvelot's description of the appearance
of the dusky part of the ring as some
what like particles of dust floating In ring
OF light traversing dark chamber"
In 1881 Dr. Meyer Swiss astronomer,
made a 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, early as 1S6S, demonstrated that
the division in the ring or the space be-
tween its inner and outer parts was due to
the disturbing influence of Jupiter, and this
led DR.. Meyer and others to the conclusion
that the ring was formed of separate parti-
cles moving round the planet to a certain
extent as Independent satellites Owing to
the peculiar position of the ring from 1854
|
years were more favorable for studying
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 to the stock of knowledge on the
subject. Observations of an eclipse of one
| Of Saturns satellites in 1859. made at the
Lick observatory, California, showed that
the ring cast as dense a shadow as that OF
the planet itself. and this was thought to
disprove the theory that the ring is made
up of vast number of satellites. since no
matter how great the number. 1t was
thought they could not have the effect Of
an opaque body.
From this brief outline Of Saturnian OBJ
ServationS during the last twenty-five or
thirty years. an outline which conveys no
adequate idea Of the patient research, pro-
found study and immense learning which
have been brought to bear 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 mass, determine its dis
tance from the planet, measure its diane
ter and calculate its mathematical ele-
ments but what 1t is composed of or what
purpose. If any. 1t serves in the economy
of the universe they have not been able to
discover. The most powerful telescopes
have revealed more clearly the proportions
and outlines of the ring but its compost
tion has remained an insoluble mystery. II
Prof. Keeler has succeeded In solving II
low petr- 20 fha fraao faf hto
solution he will have earned undying fame
in the astronomical world. Saturn already
has twice as many moons any other
planet in the solar system. namely, eight,
while our earth has only one. and Jupiter,
which is a far larger planet than Saturn,
only four. II the ring is really composed
of moons Saturn could afford to spare q
few for the other planets.