The Washington herald., 1907-11-14
Moves Across Face of the
Sun This Morning.
SOME STUDENTS TO WATCH IT
Pictures VIII he TaI<en at Naval Oh
seryatOry, Provided Clouds Do Not
Obscure Sun-There VIII BE Early
Rising at NGeorEetOwn University
by Those Who Desire to See II.

gods. but the planet which twinkles in
the starry field of early evening or early
morning. will be observed by most as
this morning. when it passes in transit
across the face Of the sun.
1t has been thirteen years since Mer-
curry took this jaunt, which lasts about
three hours and a half. and, consequent
ly. the interest in the present trip is
great among astronomers in the eastern
part of this continent and in Europe.
where the transit VIII be visible
The transit is scheduled to begin short
ly after o'clock. but owing 70 the fact
that the sun Is not up at this hour. IT
will be hardly noticeable until shortly
after o'clock. The weather man. who
figures largely in successful observations
In the low country about Washington,
said yesterday this mornings weather
VIII most likely be favorable for observa-
tions and that most probably the morn
ing will be clear-if It doesn't rain.
At Naval Observatory.
At the Naval Observatory Capt. Win
terhalter, officer in charge, will endeavor
to learn all the facts of the transit, and
take as many pictures with the photo
heliograph as possible in the time the
planet is In passage. At the time Of the
last passage about eighty photographs
were taken OF the phenomenon at the
Naval Observatory. This record win not
be equalled this year. it was stated yes
terday. on account OF the shorter period
in which the transit will be visible
The students Of Georgetown University
will get up this morning TO look at
the transit. but no special observat8 tons
will be taken.
Aside from the fact that all phenomena
Of this nature are of interest to astron-
omers, this transit OF Mercury has a spe-
cial interest The planet, the nearest 10
the sun of any of the eight principal
planets, passes in transit across the face
of the sun in periods ranging from three
to thirteen years. The last transit oc-
CURED in November, 1924
Mercury has. according TO the most
careful astronomers the bad habit OF
moving forward in its orbit. This move
ment amounts to about forty-three sec
onds in each century. This forward
movement interferes with the law of
gravitaJion as propounded by Sir Isaac
Newton. and therefore, the star-gazers
seek TO make all observations possible in
the periods of transition. 1t is then the
planet can best be observed.
Theories of Variation.
Although there have been many the
ories in regard 10 this variation on the
part of Mercury from the general rule
which fits all the other planets, and al
though many theories for the variation
have been advanced. most conservative
astronomers do not esteem the matter
cleared up as yet One solution has been
that the forward movement of Mercury is
to be accounted for by the fact that there
are other planets even nearer the sun
than this one. which are unseen on the
earth. but which exercise their drawing
power on Mercury. This theory is not
greatly credited at present. although it
has been admitted that it is tenable.
Mercury is the eighth Of the principal
planets in size, and IS approximately
100000 miles from the sun when Il is
closest to that orb. When it is farthest
away, Il is about 100000 miles distant
from the sun. The earth is about 90 OO0-
000 miles from Old Sol, 50 that Mercury
is calculated TO have a climate much
warmer than that ascribed by various
writer's 70 Panama or the sea which the
Ancient Mariner sailed. or even 10 Hades.
The year in Mercury has in it but
eighty-eight OF our days. and conse-
quently the Mercurians in one OF our
years have a chance TO listen TO four sea-
sons Of debate in their Congress. and
probably do not prohibit third terms.
Has MOnstrOus Eruptions.
Mercury is about 5000 miles in diameter,
and is said by some astronomers to have
monstrous eruptons on it's face. which
rise to a height Of $1,000 feet above the
surface Of the planet The temperature
computed for Mercury is given at about
ten and one-half that OF the earth. or a
little more than that. described by
shorter and uglier'' word.
The next transit is down IN ASTRONOMERS
for November Z, 1914, when all trusts will
have become a thing OF the past and the
Ananias Club sweIled to unmentionable
proportions, with a lengthy and wealthy
waiting list.
The real and ancient Mercury used 10
be the messenger Of the gods in Grecian
mythology. and used to prance about the
clouds with winged shoes on his feet.
bearing the latest bit of scandal from
Juno. the head push Of the gOddesses to
Athena, and others Of the select coterie
which were wont 10 Craze on Mount
Olympus. Mercury had other duties. such
as being god for thieves, traders, physi--
clans, and so forth. The assignment OF
his nom du guerre 70 that Of the planet
was made because his starry friend
moves faster than any Of those about
him. relatively speaking, and makes more
circles about the sun than any of the
othar bf71o rro,1Itfo danf1npo