RECENT ADVANCES IN SCIENCE 375 



the radial velocity is a function of the absolute magnitude, 

 increasing by about 1*5 kms. for a decrease in brightness of one 

 magnitude. Further investigation shows that this result is 

 not a distance effect, for stars at the same distance from the 

 sun exhibit the effect ; that it is not dependent upon the par- 

 ticular frequency law assumed by the velocities, as the com- 

 ponent velocities calculated under no assumption as to the 

 nature of law also show the effect ; and finally it is found 

 that the K and M stars have mean velocities about ro or 1*5 

 kms. higher than the F and G stars of the same absolute magni- 

 tude. Thus the dependence of stellar velocities upon type, 

 discovered by Campbell, is shown to be a comparatively second- 

 ary phenomenon, the greater part of his observed results being 

 attributable to the magnitude phenomenon. 



The average mass of the bright stars is greater than that 

 of the intrinsically fainter stars, and the result found in this 

 paper is therefore in agreement with what would be anticipated 

 on the kinetic gas theory of the Universe, assuming approximate 

 equipartition of energy. 



The following is a selection from amongst the most important 

 papers recently published : 



The Solar System. — Maunder, Mrs. A. S., Sun-spots in a 

 High Solar Latitude, M.N., R.A.S., 77, 621, 191 7. This paper 

 announces the discovery at the Roj^al Observatory, Greenwich, 

 of small short-lived spots, in very high solar latitudes, beyond 

 the previously accepted limits. 



Ross, F. E., New Elements of Mars, Ast. Papers of the 

 American Ephemeris, 9, pt. ii. 191 7. Newcomb's table for 

 Mars showed large discrepancies in R.A. Ross has traced 

 this to Newcomb's adopted eccentricity being too small. In 

 the paper the mass of Venus is also deduced, from the varia- 

 tions it produces in Mars and the Earth. The -value obtained 

 is 1/(403,490+2,400). 



Rosenbaum, L., Determination de l'Orbite de la Comete 

 19 1 5 a Mellish, Astron. Jakttag. Och. undersok on Stockholms 

 Observatorium, 10, No. 5, 191 7. 



Svardson, J., Determination de l'Orbite de la Comete 1914 

 cNeujmin, ibid. 10, No. 6, 191 7. 



Lodge, Sir Oliver, Astronomical Consequences of the 

 Electrical Theory of Matter, Phil. Mag. 34, 81, 191 7. 



