The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-25
THE NEW STAR IN PERSEUS.

The sudden appearance OF a nrst-hashi-
tude star in the constellation or Perseus
is doubtless the most important stellar
phenomenon that has occurred since the
invention of the telescope. The only first
magnitude star in the northern heavens mas
been Capella, in the constellation OF Aurlga,
which bounds Perseus the east. Last
night the new star excelled Capella in bril-
liancy, and therefore stands first among
the stars of the northern sky. 1t is not
a rare event for new star to blaze forth,
but they are rarely of first magnitude.
Such stars are called nova, and the present
visitor will hereafter be known as Nova
Persei. If it continues to increase In bril-
liancy it will in a few days excel Sirius
and stand first in magnitude among all the
stars of the heavens.
Hipparchus observed a first-ma gnitude
star that appeared in Scorpio B. C. 134. The
most remarkable new star was that which
appeared Nov. s. 1872 forty years before the
telescope was invented) in Cassiopeia, which
at once surpassed in splendor the bright
est planets and was even visible at noon
day. Gradually its light faded until In
March. 1873, it became utterly extinct 1t
passed through all the phenomena of pro-
digious flame, beginning with a brilliant
white color. then changing to a red and
finally to ashy paleness.
In 1904 another star of equal brightness
appeared and was fully described by KEEP
Ter. During the last century four new stars
were born as follows: In 1866, in Corona
Borealis; 1876, in Cygnus; 1885, in andre
media; 1892 in Auriga. All the above stars
were temporary and very remote, none hav-
ing measurable parallax.
La Place says: ''As to those stars that
suddenly shine forth with very vivid
light and then Immediately disappear it is
extremely probable that great confiagra-
tons produced by extraordinary causes
take place on them
The spectroscope has proved a valuable
instrument for observing new stars. 1t has
always shown the presence of incandescent
hydrogen gas. Nova Auriga showed a
movement of 500 miles second. Tests for
distance proved it to be as remote as the
Galaxy, and owing to the time required
for light to travel the outburst of light
must have occurred at least one hundred
years before it was visible to astronomers.
| All the new stars have appeared in or near
| the Milky Way. The constellation of Per-
| seus exhibits sublime phenomenon of
rich and varied star clusters. According to
| the hypothesis of Herschel the star cluster
to which our system belongs is lens-shaped
| and we are near its center. When we look
| out toward the edge of this lenticular star
| cluster the eye encounters vast stellar
| depths which give us the light of the Milky
Way encircling the heavens. 1t is prob
| ably due TO the great number of stars in
| the Galaxy that many new stars have
| appeared in or near it. From what has been
| said it will be seen that all the new stars
| have had an ephemeral existence. Regard
| ing the possibility of our sun being subject
| to an outburst of light and heat similar to
| that of a new star Professor Newcomt
| says: I'VE may almost say that the con-
| tinued existence Of the human race is in
| volved in this question, for if the heat OF
the sun should even for day increase a
hundredfold the higher order of animal and
| vegetable life would be destroyed. We car
only reply to it that the general analogies
| of nature lead to believe that we need
| not feel any apprehension of such a catas.
| trophe. Not the slightest certain variation
| Of the solar heat has been detected since
| the invention of the thermometer, and the
| general constancy of the light of ninety
| nine stars out of every hundred may in
| spire us with entire confidence that sud
| den and destructive variation need bs
| feared in the case of our SUM-"
JOHN c. DEAN.
Indianapolis, Feb. "a.