New-York tribune., 1905-11-05
THE HUGE Sun SPOT.
Its Recurrence in Sight This Week
4uaited sCith Great Interest.

Astronomers throughout the country for the
last thirty days have been witnessing what Is
one of the greatest solar disturbances on record.
1t Is nothing moro less than huge sun
cyclone covering a region 10O0o.o00,O0O miles In
area.
The visible manifestation OF this mighty solar
storm is designated by the modest name of
sun spot" In October, 1904. a similar dis
turbance was noted. which up to that time was,
almost without precedent, the largest sun spot,
but 1t is dwarfed by the enormous size of the
phenomenon which recently appeared on the
sun.
At Allegheny Observatory, on Sunday, Octo
Der 10 Mr.. Ludwig, one OF the staff of observers,
watching the great luminary when his at
tention was attracted to huge spot which had
only few hours before made its appearance on
the eastern edge of the suns disk He sum-
noned DR.. Schlesnger and DR.. Brashear, d.
rector and former director respectively OF the
observatory, and together they watched the gi-
gantic visitor. which grew larger every hour
At o'clock the following day astronomical
measurements Of the cyclonic area were taken.
It was found to extend east and west 10000
miles, and an even greater distance north and
south, which would give it an area Of about
5000, 100000 square miles.
A week later, when (by the suns rotation) the
solar cyclone had apparently moved over to the
western edge of the disk it was measured by
Father Ricard, of the Santa Clara Observatory,
California. It's had then increased to the
astounding proportions Of about 10000 miles
in diameter.
A few days later this mammoth disturber or
Old sofs surface had passed out of sight AS a
revolution of the SUI on it's axis requires TWEEN
ty-five days the Allegheny observers looked Tor
its temperance in half a revolution, or twelve
and a half days, which would bring 1t into sight
again about Monday, November 8.
Said Dr. Brashear: Such, however, was the
activity in that disturbance, and so great were
it's changes in Its passage across the solar dlsk'
that it may have dissipated the greater part or
it's energy, and may come to US again with lew
of the characteristics Of it's last appearance.
These solar spots, sun cyclones, Dr. Bra
shear says, exert very potent influence on the
earth In some mysterious way they seem to be
associated with disturbances In terrestrial mag
netism interference with telegraphy anG the
anpearauce OF auroral displays. The suspicion
Is entertained but not fully confirmed, that they
are also related to the development OF hurTl-
canes cioudbursts, torrential rains, excessive
and unreasonable heat or severe thunderstorihs.
Science has yet before 1t the fascinating proDiem
of ascertaining how large part these solar dis
turbances play in determining terrestrial weather
and such things crop conditions.
Another curious IdCl dpout NiioSS SO-N-
o1,c1ones established beyond doubt is that they
occur In periods of eleven years EACH Al tife
hAeinnine, of these periods the sun spots are 1e"
q, number. but as they approach their maxi
,nnn or time of plenty" they grow more
numerous and larger. Then they begin 10 "aie'
botb in numbers and size, until finally no more
aanear for an entire year, or until the heA'
period begins -. 3. 1oaO
The present sun cyclone period oegah III i0'O'
and is now reaching its maximum ihi' "
counts for the unusual size Oh the BUN p0-
which has just passed out OF sish'' ".n.
~ oniescent apparently, in character
= ,,erine an area only of about 2Ooouo'UV
.nuare miles, is also passing over the sun
s,,~f.ce and will follow It's giant predecessor OUT
of sight in dav or TWO. 49,.
rrhe enormous solar cyclone which mas just
x,sssea ont of sight did not cause any eiectr'cai
s,s.,rbanees on the earth so far as Is Aho" H.