The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-03
LONGEVITY OF THE SUN
That and Other Questions Interest
ing Astronomers.
The Power of the Solar Orb for
Regarded ss Naturally Limited
Points at Issue Between GeOIO-
Eists and Stellar Scientists.

The modern discovery of the conserva'
ton of energy has raised the question
among scientists of the period during
which our sun has existed and may con-
tinue in the future to give us light and
heat. The latest investigations upon the
subject have conclusively shown that the
quantity OF light and heat which has been
stored in our luminary is necessarily lin
tied, and that when radiated as the sun
radiates the supply must in time become
| exhausted.
A very simple calculation shows that
we're there no source of supply the sun
| would be cooled off In three or four thou
sand years. What is very puzzling ques-
ton to astronomers is, Whence comes the
present supply? During the past thirty
years the source has been sought for in a
| hypothetical contraction of the sun itself.
This contraction is too small to be proved
! by observation, and several thousand
years must elapse before any appreciable
| diminution can be noted, supposing the
| theory to be correct 1t has been deter
mined by calculation that the sun could
| scarcely have been giving its present
amount of heat for more than twenty or
thirty millions of years. Before that time
| the earth and sun must have formed one
body, great nebula, by the condensation
| of which both are supposed to have been
! formed. But the biologists tell us that
! the age of the earth is to be reckoned by
hundreds of millions of years. Hence
arises point at issue between the astron-
ome-s and biologists.
The field of research opened by the
spectroscope is called by some the new
astronomy, although the general tendency
| Is now to regard that marvellous instru-
ment an aid TO astronomical science
in general. Its universal application, in
deed, has been recently shown by Dutch
astronomer, who finds that the stars hay-
ing one type of spectrum belong mostly
to the milky way and are farther from us
than the others.
In the field of the so-called newer as
tronomy perhaps the most interesting
work is that associated with comets. 1t
has been confessed, however, that the
speetroscope has rather increased than
diminished the mystery which, in some
respects, surrounds the constitution of
these bodies. The older astronomy has
satisfactorily accounted for their appear
ance, as also their origin and end, so far
as the question of origin can come into
the domain of science. II is now known
that comets are not wanderers through
the celestial spaces from star to star. but
must always have belonged to our system.
But their orbits are so very elongated
that thousands or even hundreds of thou
sands, of years are required for onetrevo-
luton. Sometimes, however, comet
passing near Jupiter is SO fascinated by
that planet that, in its vain attempt to
follow it, II loses so much of its primitive
velocity as to circulate around the sun in
period of few years, and thus to be-
come apparently, a new member of our
hta nj a
in fact of any comet. chances to intersect
that of the earth the latter in passing the
point of intersection encounters minute
particles. resulting In meteoric shower
Such shower was looked for last No
vember. after the expected passage Of
comet which. since 1866 has been visiting
the confines of our system.
But what is known concerning comets is
nothing to what is not known. Whether
these bodies consist of nothing but isolat-
ed PARTICLES or whether they constitute
solid nucleus, the attraction of which tends
to keep the mass together, no one yet
knows. The spectroscope has only reveal
ed so far. that a comet is simply mass
of hydrocarbon vapor. shining by its own
light Even the accuracy CT this result has
been questioned, and IL Las been argued
that the light OF comet must necessarily
be reflected sunlight from the fact of the
increased brilliancy OF the comet as it ap-
pr0aches the sun and It's disappearance as
It passes away.
rather distracting puzzle TO astrono-
mers lust now is: What influence has the
disturbing medium of our atmosphere on
their observation Of the peculiarities of
other worlds? Then again these latter
have atmosDheres OF their own. In the
case of Jupiter for instance. what is seen
of that planet through the telescope is
proba bly, nothing but the dense and i'm |
penetrable envelope Of clouds and vapors
surrounding the body Itself, In regard TO !
the so-called canalc of Mars it is TO be not |
ed that Barnard at Mount Hamilton. with /
the most powerful instrument and under |
the most favorable circumstances, does not |
see these markings as caanls.
One of the most interesting matters with |
which Twentieth Century astronmy has to |
deal is the question of the variation OF lat !
itude. 1t Is now pretty generally known |
that the North Pole is not fixed point |
on the earth's surface, but moves around |
in rather an irregular-way- This motion /
is. indeed. small and a circle OF sixty feet |
in diameter will include the Pole in its
widest range This is very small mat
ten, so far as the interests Of daily life are
concerned but II is very important to the
It is not simply motion of
the Pole of the earth, but wabbing OF
the solid earth itself. No one get knows
what conclusions of Importance to our race
may vet follow from study of the stu
pendous forces necessary to produce even
this slight motion.
But perhaps the most fascinating ques-
lion in the general mind today regarding
matters is. What sort of
life. spiritual and intellectual, exists in
Instant worlds? Without entering into
discussion of the views expressed by Tes-
Ia concerning the feasibility of communi-
ealing with Mars, the means for which he
Is at present perfecting, 1T is scarcely
10 suppose that our little
planet is the only one throughout the en-
ire universe on which may be found the
fruits of civilization, warm hresdes.
friendship, the desire to penetrate the
mysteries of creation. Who knows but
hat Mars, now splendidly visible in the
eastern heavens, may not, in the course
IF the next two months during which time
L will he steadily approaching nearer to
ne cor yey some unmistakable message of |
habitation to the solitary
watcher who is in confident expectation
Of such result? Then may come to pass
he sublime revelation alluded to by Pope: |
ue who through vast immensely pierce,
SEQ worlds on worlds compose one universe;
Obser.e how system info system runs,
What other planets circle other suns,
What varied being peoples every star,
NAV tell why Heaven has made us as we are.
THE BABIES OF JAPAN.
CFrom the ST. Louis Globe Democracy
According TO our modern scientific IDEAS
as TO the careful treatment OF babies,
hose of Japan would seem TO have hard
l.. IL. l