The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-08

| or spectroscopic record OF light rays not
| ed in each. The first type consists OF
| white stars. with strongly absorbent hy-
| drogen atmosphere (Sirius, Vega, Rigel
are examples; the second. Of solar stars,
| in which fine metallic rulings are promi-
rent upon the screen of the spectroscope;
| the third, OF red stars, like Antares and
Betelgeux, showing banded spectra of I'M
determined chemical origin: the fourth, of
reader stars, their philosophers closely
yelled by carbon vapors.
This mode of grouping remains sub
stantially fixed. and is accepted by as
;ronomers all over the world. 1t has been
,a'iously subdivided. one OF the finer dis
factions being that depending upon the
determination. by the spectroscope, of the
presence of the chemical substance called
helium in the stars. The presence or abb
sence of this material establishes an un-
mistakable partition. within the first type
enumerated between orion" and "Sirian"
stars, as they have been conveniently des-
ignated. In the former kind. which pre-
walls almost exclusively in the constella-
ton Orion. the screen of the spectroscope
displays conspicuous dark lines, indicating.
to the scientist. d cries of light waves
produced by heliunl.
The stars in Sirius, on the contrary, give
little or no evidence of the presence OF
rays. Nevertheless, it is well known that
although like examination of the solar
spectrum proper exhibits no trace Of heii-
UNI, ii is found to occur in profusion in the
solar atmosphere, and like induction may
be made regarding Sirian atmospheres.
The universal law OF nature, that there
exists no abrupt line of demarcation be
tween the different types OF creation, but
gradual transition Of one into the other,
hold md In 0ard tn, Gala oil bod
Thus, "helium' or Orion stars merge their
attributes imperceptibly into Sirians, -Siri-
an into solar, and solar into "Antarian"
In fact, these four great stellar orders
are linked together, by small marginal va
riations, into a chain that cannot be brok-
en-. Their arrangement points obviously to
continuous progression according to def
mite laws. The question now is to deter
mine the order of this progression. 1t may
be in either direction, forward, from
white to red suns, or backward from red
to white. The solution of this problem may
be found in the Photographic record above
described, when completed. The progress
sive order Of the universe may be found to
follow regular system depending upon
the positions of the stars and nebulae and
their relations with one another.
But there is another method Of investi-
CATION, which, If a theory recently ex-
pounded by Dr. L. j. j. Lee, OF the naval
Observatory. be correct, may either sup
plant or greatly aid the Photographic plan.
This method is based upon the fact, az
stated by DR.. Lee. that the early stage
of planetary existence of so-called ec'ips-
ing stars is shown not merely by their
diffuseness OF radiation (which has been
hitherto accepted as somewhat equivot al
tesD, but by the shortness Of their circu-
latory periods.
The class of eclipsing stars, that is. stars
whose light is temporarily obscured at GER
and now numbers over score of exam
pies, and the investigation OF their phe-
nomena has disclosed many remarkable
results.
The mere fact OF diffuse radiation in the
case Of these stars does not now sufficient |
ly demonstrate that they are in an early |
era of existence but should there be ad- |
ded as supplementary evidence tending |
to the same conclusion their brief circu |
latory periods the inference may reasona- |
bly, be drawn that diffuseness Of radiation |
which involves also a low gravity is GER |
tain proof Of infancy or early youth IN |
the case of all bodies In which that sign |
is noted
Thus the Importance OF Doctor Lees |
proposition. still undemonstrated, cannot |
be overestimated as n basis for determin |
ing the progressive order OF the universe |
and astronomers all over the world are |
anxiously awaiting the results OF the |
doctors investigations in support of his |
theory.