The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-15
GROUP OF SUN SPOTS
PUZZLES ASTRONOMERS
Naval Observatory Reports
an Increase in Area.
MAY HAVE CAUSED STORM
English Scientist Predicts Bad Weather
for Several Years to
Come.

The great group of sun spots now I'M
der observation at the United States
Naval Observatory is increasing in area.
and dozen or more spots, OF which the
group was at first composed. seem TO be
condensins into two large spots.
George II. Peters. who is in charge OF
the Photograph at the Naval Observa-
tory, and who has made the photographs
OF the spots, says the disturbed area
Is now i72.N0 miles long and 5000 miles
in width.
As reported in last Sundays Times,
this group OF sun spots was the largest
observed for many years. So far as IS
known, the Naval Observatory was the
first to make the discovery Of the spots
or to give attention 10 the important
phenomenon.
Important it is 10 the inhabitants of
the earth for. although littIs IS known
as TO the nature Of the sun spots and
their effect upon the earth. there seems
small reason to doubt that such great
disturbances on the sun from which the
earth derives its heat and energy have
much effect upon the conditions here.
II Is known that the magnetic conditions
are affected, and in this particular case
there have been brilliant auroras OBJ
served at night
May Have Caused Storms.
II is impossible to saw whether the
/ recent terrible storms on the earth are
in any way connected with this group OF
sun spots. Nevertheless, it IS true that
the storms came directly after the ap-
pearance Of the sun spots and il is BY no
means beyond the bounds Of possibiIi-
~ that the sun spots played an import
ant part in the earthly disturbances.
Ineed. an English scientist has pre-
dicted bad weather here for several
years 10 come on account OF the spots.
Many theories have been advanced in
regard TO the effect sun spots have on
the weather conditions on the earth. IL
has been the opinion OF scientists that
more intense heat prevails upon the
/ earth during the maximum period Of sun
spots. which occurs once every twelve
/ years.
If such a theory is correct. 1t appears
I that the earth is about 10 undergo an
! other period of heat. because the last
/ 1893, and the appearance OF this large
1 group Is supposed TO indicate the ap-
prOach OF the next maximum period
Z II has been held that the sun spots are
vast ruts In the envelope OF gases
I which surrounds the sun, due to solar
{ storms. Scientists have said that this
]
I heat of the sun, and that consequently
when this envelope has been torn the
suns rays come with more deadly ef-
I feet upon the earth.
Heat is Strained
/ According TO this theory the capacity
7 Of the gaseous envelope around the sun
for absorbing the heat is strained 10 the
| breaking point about once every twelve
years. and the great number OF sun
/ spots is the consequence II this be
true II is reasonable 10 suppose that the
I temperature upon the earth would be
cooler just before the capacity Of the
gases for holding heat Is exceeded.
4 Thus. according 10 this theory the earth
may have another cool year before the
great number Of sun spots occurs
So far the effect Of sun spots upon the
earth's condition is nearly all mere
Il con lectures. but scientists are giving
more and more attention to these Pie
nomena and data bearing upon this sub
lect are being carefully recorded