ASTRONOMY ON THE PACIFIC COAST 



219 



of interest only to the scientist. Of the results of general interest I 

 may mention the discovery of magnetic fields in sunspots ; the fact that 

 " the sun is a magnet, with magnetic poles at or near the poles of rota- 

 tion"; "the polarity of the sun corresponds with that of the earth — a 

 conclusion which may prove to have an important bearing on theories of 

 terrestrial magnetism " ; " the evidence that has been amassed in sup- 



The 150-foot Towek, Mt. Wilson Solak Observatoky. 



port of the view that light is absorbed in space." The last, as Dr. Hale 

 points out 



not only offers an explanation of otherwise obscure phenomena, but promises to 

 give what appears to be the only possible method of measuring the most pro- 

 found depths of the universe. 



The investigations of the solar observatory are carried on not only 

 by the regular staff, but also by other scientists who are invited to make 

 use of the wonderful equipment there. 



