The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-28
heat BLASTS FOR FOUR YEARS.

barfett Z. oerFiss IN New York Journal.
Ithaca, N. Y, July s3The burning heat now affictin
the whole of the United States and felt also the other sid
Of the Atlantic and generally throughout the northern hem
sphere Is convincing proof OF the fact that the earth IS tn
satellite OF a variable star
Only the assumption that the source Of terrible heat
directly in the due to an extraordinary increase
its effective radiation the widespread and long continue
nature OF the meeoroogc disaster be satsfacor
explained Local insufficient The earth itse
contains Of heat capable of accounting for the out
burst and the suggested explanation that are passn
through region space where uncommonly high ten
perature prevails is nvaidated il for other
the fact that similar periods excessive temperature hav
occurred many times within the limits of recorded histor
and in certain cyclica order while from what know
the direction of motion OF the solar system through
confidently affirm that the earth does pass again an
again through the region but flies Always nohwar
along with the sun.
Accordingly driven the belief that the ourc
of the trouble is only in the
All know that the of the is blanket
ed with absorbing while its interior is much hottie
than the glowing shell that Strip off the vaporou
blanket entirely and the surface of the earth would probab
burst into smoke and fame in the instantaneous guh of IN
bearable heat that would be poured upon it.
Whenever, periodically though not always t
the extent the solar thnned the heat fror
within leaps through the weakened shell and strikes tn
earth and the other nearby planets with breath of FIR
from the suddenly opened door OF blazing furnace
That is what has happened this and the mn;e
date agency that has flung open the furnace door and
the destroying blast the mysterious power Whos
visible manifestation is the presence of black spots BIT
it is mistake suppose that spots themselves
else direct influence upon the weather that there
be the whenever there extraordinary heat
the earth
The spots are simply indicators Of the suns condition
sembling in that respect the eruptons the face OF small
patient They tell the story OF the suns internal con
vusions and indicate of the places its surfac
where the pent-up forces bursting
The is subject strange physical disorder, whc
tn the md alarto
disease in less regular periods, but wit
varying intensity In fact the similarity OF the
current diseases that afhct humanity far that Their
is kind of double period in the spot cycle, and
have Just arrived the beginning OF the great priar
period OF the cycle which marked by ntcnsihcaon tn
solar disturbances Hence the fierce blasts of the desty
sunshine that have dried and parched the air dsspated it
gathering moisture scattered the assembling cloud:
and ont OF coudless sky dropped scochng atmosphere
sheets upon the fields of the West until the very
has seemed on the point Of catching FIRE
There are manifestations of the opening of SUI
spot period before the themselves have begun brea
forth in any number. Presently they will follow and hal
between the equator and the poles of the congere
of black aureolae wiz blazing white patches about them
will break forth and the pectroscope will show shooting up
ward from these volcanic OF disturbance immens
of metallic vapor and cleaning hydrogen leapng
dreds of thousands of miles high and giving mpcssv
demonstration of the unmagnabe might of the tina
wrench the Of the solar system
For the next four years these gigantic outbursts will
marked by OF temperature sudden
asts and extraordinary cyclonic disturbances will follow
Nothing can he certain than increase in the
future in the number Of auroral displays and magnetic
storms the of the solar disorders
DR. w. ; Lockyer has just shown by elaborate
parson OF data that there great sun spot cycle over
lying the ordinary elevenyear cycle thyhvc years
and that at the beginning of this great cycle
Its elimination will coincide with that OF 1870, a cycle
that famous for its intensity Prof Edward BrucLne
in five is
periodical variation of climate the whole earth anc
this variation falls in exactly with the great sun spot cycle
just described This cycle is especially marked by hot DIR,
summers and electric
Thus it will be there is good scientific erounc
for the assertion that the present disastrous visitation
recty raceabe to the variations in the output of radiation
from great variable star the sun
But this time the energies concerned seem to be uncom
monty fiery and intense their display power and there
is some to think that the activity sun is in
ceasng rather than diminishing time goes on so that il
the less future the consequences of its peri
odical outbursts may be even caamitous than at
present.
But it is in which we are yet perfectly helm
less We the OF the SUM- nor reach
nor influence its stokers.
We must face and endure it find it, without the
possibility of intervening for own comfort or safety
fact that will become and OF mpatience
knowledge of the these variations and the
nature OF their effects upon the earth increases
To be the paythng and victim variable star without
knowing the OF ones discomfort is surely more en-
durable than to know without being able to interfere
Yet who on that would throw away the knowledge
OF these things that has been acquired knowledge has
never yet failed to justify the adage that power and in
creased knowledge may the fields and stock
kes of the future from hercest sun blasts
Photographs taken by astronomer show the curious
sun spots and where they break through vapo that
blasts the earth The spots influence the weather
but are indications Of the suns fiery condition.
"Smoke Up.n