The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-13

the atmosphere must sink to zoe ana 400
degrees below zero-or else burned up, un-
less shielded by clouds from the fierce sum
shine
II do not think that the Yerkesl telescope
.fill enable us to see living being on the
moon For an object as large as house
would not be visible. The magnifying
power of the telescope is limited by the
aperture of the object glass. Now, practi-
calIy, you cannot with effect apply to any
object glass magnifying power of more
than one hundred diameters to each inch
of the aperture. Consequently, under the
best circumstances, the greatest power you
could put upon any object would be four
thousand diameters. And with a perfectly
clear atmosphere, under the most favora-
BILE circumstances, you could not see man
less than sixty miles away. No, not even
!. house. You could, however, see & NOUN
tain or river, or any object seventy-five
fees in diameter. Suppose the inhabitants
were men thirty-fve feet tall. If they
would lie down fat on the ground so as to
bring themselves under the largest angle;
and if they were black and lay on bright
surface, the telescope might reveal them as
powerful microscope shows a microbe or
long hair. Under such circumstances mo-
ton might be detected on the moon. But
If there's race of men there, they have to
live without air or water"
THE LATE SOLAR ECLIPSE.
"What about the recent solar eclipsef'
cit was observed in India under the most
favorable circumstances replied the
Brooklyn astronomer. More favorable
circumstances, indeed, than have been en-
joyed by astronomers for many years. The
instruments were more ingenious, the ap-
pliances more modern, and 1 expect some
great results as a consequence.
For a number of years astronomers
have been studying solar eclpses in order
to learn something about the constitution
of the sun and the nature of it's corona.
Heretofore they have been bothered by
bad weather in their work. This year, how
ever, they were highly successful every
way and have accumulated a great deal of
valuable data which will have to be d.
gested and interpreted. The full details
have not yet reached us.
cat one observation made recently Tin
1878, Think some astronomers thought
they discovered an intra-mercurial planet.
In other words, mysterious star was
seen which has not yet been located or
recogized.
1--WE will have extended accounts of the
Indian observations before long, but an
elaborate report will not be made for some
time. Astronomers study the spectrum of
the suns corona in order to ascertain the
precise condition Of the gases of which it
is composed. With the aid of photography,
which can now be applied, they can get
t.
have an advantage over all previous OBJ
servations. The information secured will fill
up the gaps in our previous knowledge
about the sun. Indeed, we may learn ex-
actly what the corona is. AS is generally
known, it is a great light seen around the
sun. Just what it conists Of is more or
less guesswork.
I'VE will have very interesting solar
eclipse in this country in 1900 1t occurs
May %, and will be right at our doors
The trouble with an eclipse Of the sun in
the first place is that it can only be seen
in narrow region where the point of the
moons shadow touches the earth. Usually
astronomers have to go thousands of miles
where the path of the moons shadow hap
pens to lie. In 1900 the path of the suns
total eclipse will be across the Atlantic
ocean, through Virginia, North Carolina
and other Of the Southern States. It will
be right at home, and our astronomers can
all have chance to make observations
without much expense. Coming in May it
occurs at time when the atmosphere is
usually in fair condition over that part Of
the United States, so that the chances are
we will obtain some very valuable data. 1t
is the only other total eclipse that will be
observed this century. By that time as
trononners will have learned all about the
Indian observations this year, and be in a
better position to do good work in 1900
Some maintain that the suns corona is a
mass of meteors, some say that it is dust
reflected from the sun, others hold that it
is matter in gaseous state extending out
millions of miles. Examined with the spec
troscope it gives certain characteristic lines
showing that it is composed of hydrogen
and other cases. But its exact nature is
not known. Whether or not it is electrical
phenomena remains tc be settled. This and
many other questions remain to be an
swered in 1900"
FRANCIS LEON CIRISMAN.