Evening star., 1952-04-30
Green in Suns Corona
Combines Odd Elements
Outer EIectrons Declared
Stripped From Atoms
By Thomos R. Henry

The mysterious green line" Of the
suns corona-long believed to come
from some element unknown on earth
actually represents curious combina-
ton of the metallic elements, iron,
nickel and calcium.
1t shows that these elements must
exist in the great crown Of pearly
luminescence which surrounds the sun
in highly ionized" state. That is.
several outer electrons are stripped from
their atoms. This is possible only at
temperatures of at least 100000 de-
grees fahrenheit.
The temperature Of the suns surface
is only about 5000 degrees. The corona
lies several million miles out in space.
What is the source of its enormous heat?
POsthumous Award Made.
This is the paradox placed before
astronomers by the work Of the late DR..
Bernard Lyot of the Meudon Observa-
tory, just outside Paris, who last night
was awarded posthumously the Henry
Draper medal of the National Academy
of Sciences. DR.. Lyot, Frances FORE
most astronomer, died suddenly at Cairo
last month while on his way from total
eclipse observations.
The paradox he has posed for astron-
omers was explained to his fellow mem
bers of the academy by DR.. Samuel A.
Mitchell, former professor Of astronomy
at the University of Virginia and one Of
M. Lyots oldest friends. Up to a few
years ago observation of the suns
corona was limited to few minutes. at
the most, during total eclipses, DR..
Mitchell himself holds the record, having
seen the corona 26 minutes In the
course of 10 Solar-eclipse observations.
Then came Lyot's invention of the CO.
ronaScope, which makes it possible to
take a picture of the phenomenon, al
though not to see it, at any time OF the
day.
One of the worlds rich and varied
bird populations is that of Barro Colo
RADIO Island, a 3,600-acre biological area
in Gatun Lake in the Canal Zone.
Within this narrow range a total of 306
species of feathered creatures may be
identified, according to a report by DR..
Eugene Eisenmann of New York City.
just published by the Smithsonian In
stitution. which has administered the
area since 1916.
OF the 306 species So are migrants
from North America, and one is prob
ably a migrant from South America.
All the rest are residents" in the sense
that they breed in the Republic Of Pana-
ma, and at least 200 breed more or less
regularly on the island.
E>,~ n;.5 uoh;4.@.
The island provides four bird habitats,
all within general humid neotropical
forest environment.
First is the clearing. running about
300 yards along the lake. It is largely
grassy area, interspersed with small
trees and banana plants. A lofty forest
rises sharply around. Here is found the
greatest variety of birds.
Second is the mature or primary for
est, which covers about half the island.
1t is beautiful example of tropical
forest. There is little underground. With
columnlike trees and dim, filtered light,
it produces a cathedral-like solemnity.
The constant hum Of cicadas in the clear
ing soon fades into an unnoticed back
ground, and the effect on MINDLESS day
is of Silence-interrupted at long inter-
walls by the screeches OF parrots, the
roaring or chattering Of monkeys, or the
rapid passage of mixed band of birds.
This environment is preferred by the
larger birds and mammals.
Third is the secondary forest, which
covers most of the rest of the island.
This varies from clearings of Is years
ago to forest well advanced toward ma
turity. The trees are lower and the
canopy less closed so that more light
reaches the forest floor. The UNDER
growth is thicker, and in some places
impenetrable without cutting. This looks
more like the popular concept of tropi-
cal jungle. It attracts quite different
sort Of birds.
The fourth type Of habitat is the wa
ter borders, which attract wild fowl.
The bird life Of the island is rigidly
protected, and the area is maintained
for the service of science.