Omaha daily bee., 1911-10-22
sun A GREAT POWER PLANT
Central Source of Energy for a Won.
derful System.
MILLIONS OF YEARS NO CHANGE
study of the Great Orb by c. G. Alb
bolt of the AstrO-Physicnl lab
OratOry of the SMITH
sonian Institute.


as the scienelst. Not since the issue of
Prof. Young's book on the sun, first pub
lished twenty years ago and now out of
print. has anything as comprehensive
been published on this newly developed
and vital subject
No subject of modern research has ad-
vanced with such gigantic strides as the
comparatively new study OF astrophysics,
known as the new astronomy or celestial
physics. In 1873 S. p. Langley, then d.
rector Of the Allegheny observatory, be-
gan his Investigations on the sun. He
had not progressed far when he realized
the necessity of more delicate instru-
ments for the measurement of the heat
given off by the solar rays and began
working on design for a bolometer
which he completed in 1850. This new
instrument proved to be a great advance
on all Instruments previously used for
this purpose. His invention practically
opened a new subject which was called
astrophysics, since it coupled astronomy
with physics. Later when Mr.. Langley
became secretary of the Smithsonian in
stitution he organized the Smithsonian
astrophysical observatory for solar re-
search. The utility of this study was at
first questioned by congress. hut being
approved by the leading scientists of the
United States and Great Britain, congress
eventually made an appropriation which
has been renewed annually.
Mr.. AbbOtFs Record.
In 1894 Mr.. Charles G. Abbot. S. NJ, a
graduate OF the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, was appointed aid in the
astrophysical observatory, where he has
continued to carry on researches to the
present day. In 1907 he succeeded Mr..
Langley as director of the observatory.
Mr.. Abbot has accomplished a great deal
in the science of astrophysics, not only
by carrying out Mr.. Langley's plans but
through investigations which he origin.
ated himself. The work soon passed be-
yond local bounds and was aso taken up
by other investigators. Both Mr.. Lang
ley and Mr.. Abbot made observations on
the top of Mt. whitney, the highest
point of land in the United States, and
It was here that the Smithsonian institu-
ton recently erected "a shelter available
to scientific observers.
The many researches conducted by such
men as Campbell, Hale Langley and
Rowland; the investigations of the Smith
sonian institution. to ascertain the abso-
lutte intensity of the solar radiation out
i. side the earth's atmosphere; as we'll as
the work OF the Yerkes, Kodaikanal and
Mt. Wilson observatories, have resulted
in the establishment of the International
Solar union, an organization numbering
among it's members the foremost investl-
gators of the world. The subjects these
men study are most attractive and fascl-
mating. The great light and heat OF the
solar rays, suggesting a tremendous
temperature; the dimness and brown
shade of the limb or edge Of the sun; the
changing spots which march across its
disk the brilliant markings called fac
ulae, which accompany the spot; the
varying rotation at different ATTITUDES,
and the weird yet beautiful appearance
of the corona at total eclipses, have all
been carefully studied. In latter years
the development of the spectroscope had
led to a more intimate and satisfactory
knowledge of the sun, its chemical COM
position, the temperature of the surface,
the motion and pressure OF the surface
vapors the character and structure OF
sun spots and many other details.
Functions of the sun.
1t Is evident to every one how impor-
tant the functions Of the sun are to us.
1t is a virtual power plant, furnishing
Eight and heat and also the original
source OF all mechanical and electrical
power which is derived from either fuel
or water. The enumeration of the COM
forts, Injuries and beauties, due to the
solar rays, is unnecessary, because all
men acknowledge and many worship the
sun as the source OF these benefits.
Mr.. Abbot opens his book with an
introduction covering the various
BRANCHES of the solar investigation, and
follows with more specific discussions
well illustrated by photographs and draw
ings.
As every one is aware, the solar sys-
tenn, Of which the sun is the main body,
consists of moons, meteors, comets and
planets, in which latter class the earth
is included. The earth and the other
bodies revolve about the sun, which is
a focus in each individual orbit The
sun itself is a tremendous spherical body
having a mass equal to 1892, 500 times that
Of the earth, and is OF unique compo-
sition, the analysis OF which has been
a problem scientists have labored over
for hundreds OF years. According to the
authors theory the sun is composed
of gaseous or vaporous substance ex-
cept in the spots. He holds that the
temperature is too great TO permit its
being in a solid or liquid condition. AS
the Temperature attributed to the sun.
$500 degrees absolute, would melt any
known substance. it seems only reason
able to believe this statement. He
further states that the specific gravity
is too low TO permit the suns mass be-
ing other than gaseous.
What il Visible.
The visible part of the sun is in the
form of gaseous shell, Known as tho
philosophers. II is clear and tpcAnSes-
cent. due to the great temperature. AL
though Il Is theoretically probable that
Ine diameter Of the sun is slowly de-
oreaslng At a certain rate, due 70 radia-
ton and contraction, It cannot be de-
cided practically as 1t would take To-
900 years to cause an appreciate change
in the solar diameter. Even after trans
hitting energy to the earth in the form
of light and heat. through some $780,
900 miles OF space, during a period OF
about 5O.OO0OOO years, the sun Is appar-
emily none the worse for wear.
The author devotes one chapter 20 the
description of various instruments used