The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-10-29
ABBOTT PREPARES
BOOK ON THE sun
Government Expert Will Is
sue Comprehensive Ac-
count of His Studies.
~ SIDNEY EsPEY.


steal observatory Of the Smithsonian
Institution. has just finished breach
ure on the sun. 1t Is intended for gen.
eral distribution, and Is expected to ex-
cite much interest in the subject am
ong scientists as we'll as the general
public. Not since Professor Young's
book on the sun. published about TWEEN
ty years ago, has anything as compre-
hensive been published on this subject.
The study of the sun has been the
object OF much research and study by
scientists for years, and only within
recent years have astrophysists been
able to learn much OF the phenomena.
New and powerful telescopes, special
ly constructed cameras with powerful
lenses, electric kites, and numerous
other devices have been employed by
scientists to aid them in prosecuting
their studies on this subject.
Invention Of Langley.
In 1873 s. =. Langley director Of the
Allegheny Observatory, began his in
vestigations of the sun. He had not
progressed far when he realized the
necessity of more delicate instruments
for the measurement of the heat Civ
en- off by solar rays, and began work.
ing on a design for bolometer which
he completed several years later. This
new instrument proved to be great
advance on all instruments previous
ly used and through it the science of
sun study was first called Astrophys-
les. meaning that the subject is a COM
!pOsite OF astronomy with physics.
A. Later Prof. Langley became secre-
tary of the Smithsonian Institution
and organized the Smithsonian Astro-
physical observatory for solar re-
search. The utility of this study was
ut first questioned by congress, but
being approved by the leading scien-
lists OF the United States and Great
Britain, congress eventually made an
appropriation to prosecute the work
Since 1894, the work started by Prof
Langley has been carried on by Mr..
Abbott. To better study the character
!1stics of the sun, Mr.. Abbott has con-
structed a shelter on the peak of Mt.
Whitney. the highest point of land
in the United States. Many expert
ments were conducted from this point.
and q fund of information was gather
ed.
Until Mr.. Abbott's books gain cir
culation the treasure Of research as
far a. the reading public is concerned
IL contained in books published by
the International Solar union, an or
ganization which numbers among its
members the foremost Investigators
of the world. The subjects that these
men study are most attractive and fas-
cinating. The great light and heat
of the solar rays, suggesting tre-
mendous 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 faculae. which &C
company the spot, the varying rota-
ton at different ATTITUDES, and the
wierd yet beautiful appearance of the
corona at total eclipse are the most
interesting topics.
Learn Mere Of Sun.
In latter years the development of
the spectroscope has led to a more
intimate and satisfactory knowledge
Of the sun, its chemical composition,
the temperature of the surface, the
motion and pressure of the surface va
,pors, the character and structure of
sun spots. and many other details.
It Is evident to every one how i'm.
pOrtant the functions of the sun are to
the earth. 1t Is a power plant. fur
nishing 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 Mr.. Abbott
Iprefaces his book by saying LAS every
one Is aware, the solar system, OF
which the sun is the main body. con
sists OF moons, meteors, comets and
planets. They revolve about the sun
which is q focus in each individual
orbit. The sun Is a spherical body
and has a mass equal to $4,000 times
that Of the earth.
The sun. Mr.. Abbott says. is com
posed of gaseous or vaporous sub
stance. except in spots, the tempera
ture being too great to permit its
being In a solid or liquid condition
The specific gravity Is too low to per
NIT the suns mass being other than
gaseous.
THE visible part of the sun is the
gaseous she'll The suns diameter
decreases slowly" but, says Mr.. Alb
bott, this cannot be definitely stated
~ 1t would take 10000 years to cause
an appreciable change. The sun ha.
been transmitting energy to the eartl
for 50.00O.O 900 years. through sapc>
Of $4,000. 900 miles. and is apparent!
mono the worse for wear"
OF Value to Farmers.
The book is also of considerabl,
value to the farming interests, in tina
the author describes the effect of tn,
sun on plant life. animal life, physic
and engineering. He indicates tn,
chemical changes of sunlight and hea
on plants. To the engineer also MI
Abbott has a word to say. devoting
chapter to the utilization of sola
I:::Z& q,