The sun., 1896-10-04
SIRIUS PROBLEMS.
Interesting SugEeations n to the Origin or
What We Call Sunlight.
fron 0.e RoeAe.ter nennosrat ANA chrontcl..

From the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
The dark companion of Sirius. discovered by
Alvan g. Clark in 1862 with the eishteen-inc
telescope constructed for the Chicago Uniyer-
sity, and which had not been seen since 1890
was rediscovered in the early part of Septem
Der at the Lowell observatory. Flagstaff, Ariz.
The observation WAS made with the excel
lent Clark instrument. constructed for the use
OF Mr. Lowell in the study OF Mars Owing
to she clear air OF Arizona, wonderful obserya.
tons have been made with the instrument, and
the disk OF Mars has been so accurately mapped
that all previous attempts were surpassed.
Prof See. one OF the members of the observ.
atory staff, sighted the companion of S,rius
after patient search. The companion Is so
near to the great star. about six seconds of an
arc. and is so faint comparatively. that the blaze
of the giant sun fills the eye. II was therefore
necessary to bar out the light OF Sirius by a
small screen in the field OF the eyepiece. With
judged TO be of the eleventh magnitude, WAS
observed. but In a position not ex pected by the
astronomers who have computed the orbit
Sirius and his companion swing about each
other. forming great system. The motion
has beea great enough since 1862 TO get a sufi-
tlon of an approximate orbit. Those WHO at
tended the meetings OF the RochesterA cademy of
arcade. will recolle t that the Rev. n. NJ. Mann
presented the results OF his computations of
wn recall .Se time TIM s51@ Of
which which vas given by him but we believe II was
At Flagstaff that the companion has fallen 3os
behind the position which 1t should occupy to
from the accepted computations. In falling be-
hind: 1t has also receded from Sirius
-, atser the companion was found by use OF
seen upon the outer border OF the light fringe
about Sirius without eovering that star. Oh
ha N nAd
utes before sunrise.
It is estimated from the new observations
tom is about ffty-three years. or three yesrs
Longer than was originally estimated. The
nus. and may nearly approach that OF Nep-
tune. The dark compenon is about the size
81 %h our sun, and Is but half the size of Sirius
ipH surface of his companion 10 vast that
the The iilnmlnstion must be very great .Presum-
wise dark object visible.
IT Is idle to speculate about the habitability
Som for large populaton u mere rh is plenty Of
about $4,000 miles In diameter, and would
sos xoSe aottsrs something to do II they
and his dark companion are tho most interest
Ing pair within the. reach Of the Telescope. No
planet is known in the whole universe of stars,
IT, The age OF this system cannot be calculated.
reach the stage OF darkness is beyond compnta.
t!ion' !n' because men have no data for the prob
iom. lmeTe is record stating that the Ro.
mans called Sirius red. As the names Of colors
have nog materially changed In tho 1000 years |
since the record was made, ii Is quite probable |
that the color of Sirius has changed from red |
TO blush white That ir Sirius is incandes- |
cent. condition that shows a life-giyinQ
energy II we gauge the light of Sirius by that of
our sun. Perhaps Sirius was red because his
Giant globe was surrounded by vapors that
have nov subsded, permitting us to see the
ight-ooyering, or philosophers. This supposi-
hon hn eonnicts somewhat with the theories Of
,ed stars are in the spotted stage, and are
Haaiina a 20 Darkness. Sirius has passed from red
% SaSo6H nS S,aish Sa, White reversing tho order;
may yet be found that It is the result Of IN
erection between worlds that are linked To-
iether ike the sun and It's planets or Sirius
Ind his planet. II the astronomical records
y th9 present day are carefully preserved,
nam klhu may have soma data with which TO
Ittack these problems two or three centuries
lSnee- II white stars fade to red or red stars
,iAze with white light, IL will be known that
her9 10 nomethtng more than tho processes OF
'satnG and cooling to be accounted for.