216 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERT. 



A displacement by this means would evidently cause the solar atmosphere 

 to advance constantly from its poles to its equator ; and such a movement 

 is indicated by the change in the position of the sun's spots, which, accord- 

 ing to the observations of Peters for many years, are continually diminish- 

 ing their heliocentric latitude. The progressive motion of the solar orb 

 through space tends also to replenish its atmosphere with fresh material for 

 the maintenance of its light; and the position of the large planets has some 

 influence on the amount of ether which it receives from the celestial domain. 

 The periodicity observed in the solar spots, and some changes exhibited by 

 many variable stars, may be ascribed to an effect of this kind. But the 

 result would be far more decided if a sun had large planets in its immediate 

 vicinity ; for the attraction of these bodies would alter the pressure on its 

 ethereal atmosphere, and produce a corresponding variation in the develop- 

 ment of its light. On this principle we may explain several phenomena 

 connected with the variable stars ; and I may remark, that Argelander 

 regards many of their peculiarities as indicating, that planets revolving 

 around some suns affect the generation of light in their photospheres. But 

 a planet revolving in an orbit of the smallest size possible would be pro- 

 ductive of more remarkable consequences. Sweeping through the ethereal 

 atmosphere of the great central sphere, it would impart a sufficient degree 

 of pressure for luciferous action ; and exhibit, on a grand scale, the evolu- 

 tion of light which accompanies the visits of meteoric masses to the earth. 

 From the great brilliancy of meteors which move in a horizontal direction, 

 it is evident that a satellite revolving around a large globe, at a small dis- 

 tance above its surface, should be favored Avith all the conditions necessary 

 for a sublime meteoric illumination ; and it is probable that some of the 

 bright tenants of space may shine by light originating from such a cause. 

 Indeed, the resistance of the space-pervading medium must constantly di- 

 minish the orbits of all satellites ; and, after innumerable years, bring them 

 into such a proximity with their central bodies that such grand meteoric 

 phenomena would be almost inevitable. If space contain dark systems (as' 

 is generally believed), the central orb which presides over each of them 

 would become luminous, when one of its planets was passing through the 

 final stage of existence. In a paper read at the last meeting of the Amer- 

 ican Association for the Advancement of Science, and published in^, the 

 " Proceedings," (pp. Ill 113), I have shown that the stability of satellites 

 could no longer exist if their orbits were reduced to a certain limit ; and 

 that the attraction of the primary body would render them incapable of pre- 

 serving a planetary form. In like manner, a member of one of the dark 

 systems of space, when brought too near its central orb, would be likeAvisC 

 doomed to suffer a dismemberment ; and the fragments resulting from the 

 mighty wreck would immediately scatter into separate orbits. Instead, 

 therefore, of closing its planetary career as one vast meteor, the attendant 

 should form a host of meteoric masses, and thus send forth far greater floods 

 of light into space. But the fragments, gradually assuming circular orbits, 

 would ultimately form a ring similar to that around Saturn ; and as this 

 change advanced, the light should constantly decline until it ceased when 



