Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-04

out lines peculiar to itself; fourthly, II
the light of an incandescent solid or
liquid passes through gaseous body,
certain Of its rays are absorbed and black
lines in the spectrum indicate the nature
Of the substance which absorbed the
ray; ffthly, each element, when gaseous
and incandescent, emits bright rays iden-
teal In color and position in the spectrum
with those which it absorbs from light
transmitted through it,
The spectrum of sodium, for instance,
shows two bright lines which correspond
In position with the double black line at
ID (the sodium line.) Now, applying these
principles to the solar spectrum, investi-
gators found, from the nature and po-
sition Of the rays absorbed, that its light
passes through hydrogen. potassium,
sodium, calcium barium, magnesium,
zinc. iron. chromium, cobalt, nickel,
copper and manganese, all in a state Of
gas and constituting part Of the solar en-
velope, whence they conclude that these
bodies are present in the substance Of
the sun itslf, from which they have been
volatilized by heat.
The incandescent vapor Of each ele-
mentary substance has a characteristic
spectrum consisting Of fixed lines, which
never changes. Spectrum analysis. as
this is called furnishes the chemist with
an eXquisitely delicate test to enable him
to detect the presence of minute guam
Titles OF elementary bodies. For instance.
by heating any substance until 1t becomes
gaseous and incandescent. he Is able by
means Of the lines to read off from the
spectrum the various elements present
in the vapor. BY this means several new
elements have been discovered.
Photography has been OF very great
assistance to the spectroscopist by the
means it has given him of not only max
ing rapid and correct representation OF
the spectrum lines, but also in showing
him number Of lines of very great i'm
porance situated in the ultra violet parts
Of the spectrum, and which are totally
invisible to the eye.
= Professor Nicholson has long been
known as one OF the most distinguished
Of American scientists. In 1907 he re-
ceVed the Nobel science prize. a sum Of
$4,000, for his researches into the nature
of light This is generally regarded as
the highest international honor paid TO
scientists at the present time. 1t has
been given to such men as Professor
Roentgen, the discovercr of the Roentgen
rays. and to Alexis Carrel, for his
achievement in keeping animal tissues
alive when separated from the body.
Few American scientists arc more
highly esteemed in Europe than Michel
son. He has received a long list of
honors from foreign scientific bodies. in
Guiding the coveted Copley Medal of the
Royal Society OF London.
He was born in 1852 entered the
United States Navy in 1873, and served
AS an officer. He became an instructor
III physics at the Naval Academy in 1875.
Since then he has held many university
positions. and he has been head OF the
department OF physics at the University
OF Chicago since 1892
A very interesting personal fact about
Professor Nicholson is that in spite of
his sixty-three years and his tremendous
scientific labors he is very fine athlete.
indeed, he believes that he would not
nave been able to do his scientific work
so efficiently If he had not kept in con.
slant physical training.
ieNis particularly good tennis player
and comparatively few OF the younger
men at the university can beat him at
that game.