Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-20
sun Spots and the Earlh.


The Investigations OF astronomers
into the developments and characters
tics of sun spots are not without prac-
teal interest to the inhabitants of this
world. These inquiries, 1t may be
safely said, have gone far enough to
show that large sun spots have dis
turbing effect on the meteorological
conditions surrounding the earth.
When the sun develops great black
chasms in its envelope of fire the earth
is afflicted with tornadoes. earth
auakes, tidal waves, volcanic eruptions
and extremes Of temperature. This
is about as far as the Investigations
have gone. They have established the
coincidence but have not yet thrown
light on the relationship.
At present there appears on the suns
surface spot $4,000 miles long and
5000 miles wide at one end. This spot
has been visible for two weeks, but has
probably been in existence for three
weeks, being hidden for a time be-
cause of the suns rotation. This spot,
moreover. appears during an astron-
omical period. when such phenomena
are not to be expected. 1t must be due
to some exceptional and tremendous
influence, and it's effects on the earth's
meteorology should be interesting for
scientific observers.
Coincidental with this sun spot
there are already signs of electrical
and seismic disorders in the world. The
currents appear to be running at cross
purposes. A few days ago news was
received that Falcon island. in the
Southern Pacific. had disappeared COM
pletely beneath the oceans surface. 1t
was small island, inhabited by about
a score of fishermen, all of whom were
drowned. This island was of volcanic
origin and the cause of its birth was
probably the cause of its death.
From Hawaii comes the information
that Mauna I.oa, the volcanic moun-
tain, is again moaning, that the tides
are unusually high and that there are
many signs, disturbing to the people,
of impending seismic troubles. About a
week ago there were earthquake rumb-
Hngs along the southwestern
coast of Mexico. At the same
time from the other side Of
the world, comes the news that Vesu-
vius, in Italy. has burst into eruption,
the most violent in &c years. The great
cyclondc storm that swept the island
of ST. Vincent, one of the Lesser An
titles, appears to have been of seismic
origin as ut was accompanied by a huge
tidal wave. This wave seems to have
swept the coasts of nearly all the is
lands in that long chain that divides
the Caribbean sea from the Atlantic
Ocean. and only meager reports have
yet been received of the work of de-
struction.
Unusual and extreme temperature is
often observed during the reign of a
sun spot, In one part of the world
the weather will become suddenly cold,
in another part excessively warm.
Since the appearance of the present
spot the temperature throughout the
northern half of the United States has
been much below the normal, while
in Europe it has been much above it.
The sun spot may have nothing to do
with this. Whether it has or not can
be determined only by the collection
of numerous observations on such phe-
nomena. Scientists who study sun
careful attention to the coincidental
freaks OF mundane meteorology Only
by such work can the relationship be
ascertained between solar and terres-
trial disturbances. Painstaking inves-
tigation will accomplish wonders in
any department of science. 1t is pref
ty well established that sun spots are
electrical disturbances, and that cleo
trical agencies are operative in earth
quakes and volcanic eruptions. A So
luton of the connection between these
phenomena ought to be of considerable
value to mankind