The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-06-12
HOT TIMES PREDICTED.

We don't know whether astronomy can be called an exact science or not. Tn many respects the calculations, de-
 ictions and conclusions of astrono- mers are so exactly verified that there can be no disputing the claim that they have reduced the study to an exact science. When they come to reason about matters for which they can pro- duce no evidence except analogy and probability layman may feel at lib- erty to have his own opinion.
 One of the most remarkable theories that we have lately seen explained is that of Professor Leroy Tobey an emil nent astronomer. It is known that the moon revolves around the earth, and the earth and moon together re- voive around the sun. What Is not so well known is that the sun. with the volving around an immense sun. Arc turus. which is visible in the Northern reavens, but at such an extreme dis tance that mere figures convey little impression of 1t. What is of impor- tance. however, is that Arcturus Is enc thousand times us large as our sun.
 Here, then. is the situation and the prospect for the future: The path of the sun (and earth). Is an immense elipse. We are now about the centre of the long side of this elipse and though we are travelling at a speed of five million miles a day 1t will re- qulre twenty-five thousand years to reach the point of the elipse at which time our earth will be nearest to Arc turus.
 It must be borne in mind that this far-away sun is not only one thousand times as large as our sun but that it's heat is correspondingly great. We can faintly imagine what will become of all earthly things when subjected to one thousand times as great heat as we now derive from our summer sun. CT course, as we Journey towards that almost inconceivGble furnace, the heat will continue to increase. but as it will require 25,0O0 years to complete the distance it Is plain that the span of human life IS not sufficient to enable us to note the increase. According to Professor Tobey. when the earth Is at its nearest point to Arcturus 1t will feel the greatest heat 1t has felt in 04,O00 years, but as that was before our history begins we have no record of 1t.
 When the hottest days of the arc turfon summer arrive what Is to be- come of the earth and its inhabitants? Mans adaptability to circumstances and conditions is wonderful. and it may i be that during the thousands of years occupied in journeying to the apparent end of all things human as we'll as animal life will gradually become ac- customed to the increasing heat so that life will exist even in the fiery fur mace. It may be. again, that If there are human beings on earth science will teach them now to withstand or coun- teract the heat. Then, again, people by that time may learn to fly from one planet to another and thus find a re- fuge. But if the heat Is as great as | predicted all vegetation will be de- -troyed. and it is not certain that the very earth vii not be destroyed en- tirCly.
 Following this interesting theory, after the hottest time has been reached, our earth will turn back along the other side of the elipse and in another
 5. JUO years will occupy the same posi- tion with respect to Arcturus that we now do, and the temperature will be about as at present But the journey will not stop for our earth and sun will move Oh to their greatest distance from Arcturus. and then will be a sea son of such intense cold as man can have but little conception Of. And right here comes in something to give