The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-29
ABBOTT ID PUBLISH
 BOOK ON THE SUN
Expected to Excite Much
 Interest in Orb
MANY EXPERIMENTS
Astronomer Has Made Observations From Mt. Whitney-Says Sun Is Composed of Gaseous Sub-
 stances-Is Not Solid
By SIDNEY EsPEY


 1 Washington. October 2S.-(Special.)- Charles G. Abbott, director of the Astro- hysieal observatory of the Smithsonian institution, has just finished brochure on the sun. It is intended for general distrl- button, and is expected to excite much ln- terest in the subject among scientists as well as the general public. Not since Professor Young's book on the sun, pub lished about 20 years ago, has anything as comprehensive been published on this subject.
 The study of the sun has been the ob- ject of much research and study by scien- lists for years, and only within recent years have astrophysists been able to learn much of the phenomena. New and powerful telescropes, especially construct ed cameras with powerful lenses, electric kites and numerous other devices have been employed by scientists to aid them in prosecuting their studies on this sub- ject.
 In 1873 S. P. Langley, director of the Allegheny observatory, began his inves- legations of the sun. He had not pro- gressed far when he realized the necessity of more delicate instruments for the measurement of the heat given off by solar rays, and began working on de- d several years later. This new instrument proved to be a great advance on all in struments previously used and through it the science of sun study was first called astrophysics. meaning that the subject is a composite of astronomy with physics.
 Later Professor Langley became secre- tary of the Smithsonian Astrophysical ob- servatory for solar research. The utility of this study was at first questioned by Congress. but being approved by the lead ing scientists of the United States and Great Britain, Congress eventually made an appropriation to prosecute the work.
 Since 1894 the work started by Professor Langley has been carried on by MT. Ab- bolt. To better study the characteristics of the sun, Mr Abbott has constructed shelter on the peak of Mt. Whitney, the highest point of land in the United States. Many experiments were con ducted from this point, and fund of in- formation was gathered.
 Until Mr. Abbott's books gain circula- tion the treasure of research as far as the reading public is concerned is contained in books published by the International Solar union, an organization which num- bers among it's members the foremost investigators of the world. The subjects that these men study are most attractive and fascinating. The great light and heat of the solar rays, suggesting a tremen dous temperature, the dimness and brown shade of the limb or edge of the sun. the changing spots which march across it's disk, the brilliant markings called faculae, which accompany the spot, the varying rotation at different attitudes, and the weird yet beautiful appearance of the corona at total eclipse are the most inter- esting topics.
 In latter years the development of the spectroscope had led to a more intimate
 
 chemical composition, the temperature of the surface, the motion and pressure of the surface vapors, the character and structure of sun spots, and many other de- tails.
 It is evident to every one how important the functions of the sun are to the earth It is a power plant, furnishing light and heat, and is also the original source of all mechanical and electrical power which is derived from either fuel or water.
 In the study of the sun MT Abbott prefaces his book by saying AS every one is aware the solar system, of which the sun is the main body, consists of moons, meteors. comets and planets. They revolYe about the sun. which is focus in each individual orbit. The sun is a spherical body and has a mass equal to 332 800 times that fthe earth" The Sun, Mir Abbott says, is composed of gaseous or vaporous substance except in spots the temperature being too great tn permit it's being in a solid or liquid condition. The specific gravity is too low to permit the suns mass being other than gaseous.
 The visible part of the sun is the gas eous shell. The suns diameter decreases slowly but" says Mir Abbott this can- not be definitely stated, as it would take 1o,000 years to cause an appreciable change. The sun has been transmitting energy to the earth for 50,OO0CO0 years through a space of 95,0O0,0O0 miles, and is apparently none the worse for wear"
 The book Is also of considerable value to the farming interests, in that the au- thor describes the effect of the sun on plant life, animal life, physics and en- gineering. He indicates the chemical changes of sunlight and heat on plants To the engineer also MT. Abbott has a word to say devoting a chapter to the utilization of solar energy. in which many old experiments with solar heat are | reviewed. some modern schemes, such as solar heaters, cookers and engines are explained, and some data for use in de- sign are advanced.
 The science of astrophysics is yet in it's infancy, the lack of records of the science being great handicap. Should modern