The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-13

happening thereon we would now and
then see the black thousands or con-
testants pass By IN a broad cylindrical
column often thicker through than
earth. Sometimes the stragglers are
so many that II takes two years for
the end OF the procession to get en-
tlrely by. and 1t Is some OF these that
we meet with every night as our
globe flows into the path OF one OF
these meteor, swarrns. Now and then
we cross one of these racing rings just
In time to collide with the new body
OF racers. Such a collision we make
every thirty-two to thirty-four years
With what we term the November
meteors." while every August we cross
another one OF these rings. everywhere
along which race seems to be in
progress at all times. Such swarms or
meieors seem TO be old comets that
have gone OUT after having been
pulled apart by the tide-producing ac-
tion OF the sun. Thus Biela's comet
split in two in 1876. and when next
due. In 1872 was encountered In the
form OF new and brilliant shower OF
meteors. seen again In 1885 and 1892.
Thus in those three years we went
through the remains OF comet with
out damage.
s4
New light on the earth's fate may be
afforded by a research being conduct
ed by the astronomers OF Lick Obser-
yatory. under a bequest made by D.
Ogden Mills a few years before his
recent death. A negro preacher was
long an object OF interest because OF
the persistence with which he argued
that "the sun do 1noyc.' One OF the
first nature lessons taught the youth
of the generation now grown up was
that the sun--which did not rise or
set as children supposed-Was a fix
ture In the skies. But, as a matter
OF fact, the sun do move" carrying
all OF its planets and their satellites
along with 1t, and what concerns the
astronomers now is to determine its
and speed. Some time ago
1t was announced that this wild race
of the sun, earth and the rest OF the
solar family through space was In
the direction OF the constellation OF
Hercules. but after more complete OBJ
seryations were made the southern
boundary OF the constellation OF the
eye OF the celestial target which we
are fated to hit. These observations
We're made with the spectograph.
which records the directions Of the
stars with respect to the sun. But
the estimates have not taken into con-
sheraton the bright stars Visible in
that quart ter OF t he sky surrounding
the South Pole. TO & observe these.
and thus make this particular survey
Of the heavens complete, q wond erful-
" Ingenious spectograph donated by
Mr.. Mills was some time ago taken
by the Lick astronomers to Chile, and
mounted upon one OF the hills over
looking the city Of Santiago. "
/, The speed at " hitch we are rushing
toward the southern boundary OF the
OF the Tyre has been es-
at between five and twenty
miles per sc cond i, the mos vi d ely APP
proved estimate now bein 6 twelve and
one-half miles per second.
Our collision with some Y star. met
with In this flight through Infinite
space. Is a possible catastrophe now
offend discussed by geniuses conteln-
Mating the worlds extinction by fire..
But such a olllsionB need not concern
US, ina mucll as a T. would ia Ike u s mil
lions ofsSyears to reach the nearest
star of the heavens 81 even Il we were
aimed directly at 1t and were travelling
at the highest speed seriously con-
sldered by astronomers. Vega. the
blrlsh q particular star IN the con stella
ton OF the Tyre. toward which We !
reSsupposed to be going. is so d istant
that It's light requires twenty-threej
years to travel to earth. Thus, if 1t
had ropped gu gof the heavens I'M the
year 4 IS 1--WE would not have missed
it8until now. Astronomers with whom,
/ have discu ssef he subtect generally
agree that even il tile solars systenltl
does eventual Is pa SIS, like 5Yolley.t
the great celestial harp, It'll
will so through wi shout breakings anyi|
Of the golden strings or + striking a
ordant note q in that harmonious
song which the stars sing together.
MigAt Hump q Dark Sun.
We might meet q dark star In this 1