Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-14
lHE sun an ELECTRIC MAGNET
What Modern Scientific Discoveries
Have Shown.
PROF. ENNIS PREDICTION

light. and also the discovery that the
coronal rays were strikingly similar to the
cathode rays thrown off from the magnet
was subject Of great interest to many Of
The Stars readers who take an interest in
astronomical and scientific matters. Such
reading matter. by being more often given
to the general public than formerly, and in
less technical language. is getting to be
better understood and appreciated. But
my object In writing this communication is
mostly to impress one particular point
mentioned in the article, viz, the almost
certain proof that the intense rays of the
sun as seen in the corona are electrical-in
fact the higher or intenser rays of cleo
tricity itself. In the earlier days of
Economical research it was held, and with
much tenacity, by most astronomers, that
the sun was burning body. heated to the
highest degree, and, in consequence, send
ing forth into space the great heat which
her satellites experience more or less.
Later on these views were somewhat modi-
fed or changed in that this wonderful heat
was superinduced by rarified gases, them
selves Intensely heated by the glowing
metallic mass of the SUMS body or surface.
IhiS has been confirmed by the spectre
scope as to the structural condition of
solar matter and light.
The Corona Mystery.
The corona itself, which surrounds the
sun outside Of both its chromosphere (prin-
cipal light so ealled) and photosphere (red
flashes and projections), still remained a
mystery, only seen at times Of eclipse, in
determinate in it's shape, never presenting
the same appearance, and flashing out
millions n, OF miles into space. or perhaps at
other times only hundreds of thousands Of
miles or less, much brighter and winter in
light, when submitted to the proper
tests, than ordinary, rays, and with
long streamers-straight, curved or spi-
raj by turns, or intermixed. Such is
the corona, and 1t is strange that not until
comparatively recent period have these
rays been regarded as electric in their
nature. Probably the most reasonable ex-
PLANTATION is that they were so seldom seen
that their nature was not particularly
studied.
Many astronomers and scientists have
discussed the probable origin, nature and
laws Of electricity, and now and then have
thrown out hints or expressions as to its
solar or stellar, or rather cosmos, origin,
yet few have really advanced the theory.
as now accepted and probably affirmed, I'M
til quite recent period. And 1t is to the
credit of American observers that most
of these suggestions are due.
Prof. Ennis Prediction.
Probably the most remarkable announce
ment of the theory is that of Prof. Jacob
Ennis (since deceased) of the Pennsylva-
MA State Normal School in lecture, en-
titled "The Electric Constitution of Our
Solar SYSTEM" delivered before the Acad-
envy Of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, in
1878, in which he distinctly and clearly de-
clares the coronal light to be electric flash
es from the suns philosophers, and evolved
out of the intense heat and ratification of
the SUMS atmosphere. He goes {. into the
fullest details and description and adj
vances proof and argument which now
seem fully affirmed by these recent discov
cries.
Also in an article in the sidereal Mes
senger published at Carleton College OBJ
servatory, Iowa,) of March, 1887, he took
the exact ground now announced in your
article, and showed that the coronal light,
the light of the tails of comets, the zodi-
acal light and that Of our earth's auroras
were all Of the same relative character.
Prof Lewis Swift, Also of Warner Uni
yersity, n. y, remarks Of the coronal
light QS'O: THE motion appeared not pull
sating, but a constant outflow of what
sion, streaming off in straight lines into
space
Other COrrObOrations.
Prof Boss of Dudley observatory, AL
bany, who has several times witnessed this
phenomena in total eclipses writing of that
Of 1879 says: '"rhese radiating stream
ers resembled very much the white ones
frequently seen in auroras.'
In communication to The Evening Star
in the fall of 1885, relative to some obser-
vations Of Coggins comet of 1862 took
pains TO emphasize my belief in Prof.
Ennis theory by comparing the vivid and
striking radiationS of that cometary mat
ter, as witnessed, when young man, and
that Of our most striking and brilliant
auroras, and the article was embodied in
one of his to the magazine. above quoted
Many expressions of opinion bearing on
this theory have since frequently appeared
In various scientific and other publications.
but, as previously stated, 1 think Prof. En-
mis- seems to be the only one of previous
observers to come out boldly and clearly
in favor Of the theory that the sun is a
vast electric magnet $50 to speak), in some
wonderful manner constructed or condi-
toned so as to evolve or produce the in
tense aad powerful rays now discovered
which evidently warm and quicken to life
and strengthen the forces and conditions
of his various satellites. And granting,
even, that the sun itself is a vast body Of
irruption, molten matter, intensely rarified
gases, &c. probably true), the result of this
condition is evidently an Overwhelming
force Of electricity, which, in it's mysterious
way, governs the forces and elements of
our own and other planets to a degree we
would not have credited had not these new
discoveries opened up greater knowledge
Of its potentiality. And, furthermore that
the Roentgen rays are but an illustration
as it were, Of the intenser electricity which
solar rays possess. E. ]. BOOKINGS