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^be IRecent Sun=*Spot^. 



SIR Robert S. Ball, Lowndean, Professor of Astronomy and 

 Geometry in the University of Cambridge, has written an 

 article for the November number of the " King's Own," in 

 which he deals with the recent outbreak of Sun Spots. He says : 



" At the present time (1892) it happens that the spotted area 

 of the sun must be nearly at its maximum, even if it has not 

 already reached it. It will thus be seen that we have now an 

 opportunity of investigating solar phenomena, which ought not to 

 be neglected by those who desire to learn something of the 

 wonders of our great luminary. Perhaps some may ask what, 

 after all, is the interest which attaches to such matters as sun 

 spots ? How can they possibly teach us anything, or what 

 connection can they have with terrestrial matters ? Here we 

 happen to touch on a scientific question of very great interest 

 about which, unfortunately, very little is at present known. It is 

 quite certain that the presence of abundant sun spots does 

 correspond in some remarkable manner with certain terrestrial 

 phenomena. 



Suppose that we take a mariner's compass of an especially 

 delicate construction. Suppose that we hang the magnetic needle 

 with such careful precautions that its slightest movement shall be 

 perceptible. Suppose we carefully screen it from all external 

 interference. Suppose we put it, not, indeed, in the cabin of a 

 ship, which rolls about at the mercy of the winds and waves, but 

 in the basement of a specially-constructed building, from which 

 all iron is absent, because that metal interferes with the action of 

 the earth on the magnet. Suppose that we further provide 

 microscopes by which we are enabled to study with minute 

 attention the slightest movement of the needle. Or, suppose 

 that, with still greater refinement, we arrange a photographic 

 apparatus by which the needle shall be made to record, with 

 faultless accuracy, its exact position at each moment of time, then 

 we shall be able to learn something of the connection between 

 sun spots and terrestrial affairs. 



We are accustomed to speak of the compass as pointing to 

 the north, but it is not to be understood from this that the 



