THE ALUMNI JOURNAL 171 



chromosphere is at present the only information available. It. is quite 

 possible that the sun's heat may be ])artly or wholly due to radio-active 

 processes. It is true that the sun would only generate about one- 

 fourth as much radio-active heat if it were composed of uranium as it 

 does now. but it is quite possible that the rate of transformation would 

 be quite different under solar conditions than what it is even in the 

 electric arc. 



(nebeler has observed several s])ectrum lines in the li.t^ht from the 

 new star, Xova (jeminorum 2. which he attributes to uranium, radium 

 and the radium emanation. The new star of March 22, 191 2, showed 

 a strong- continuous spectrum, numerous l)road bands and many dark 

 lines in the early stages. Each of the hydrogen bands showed a mul- 

 tiple structure. Rapid changes took place in the spectra from night 

 to night. The helium lines showed up strong-ly in a few months but 

 disappeared by August, being- replaced by a nebulae spectrum. None 

 of the spectral changes tell anything- directly concerning- radio-active 

 processes, but it is probable that if radio-active phenomena play any 

 important part in the origin of new stars, the spectrum of helium will 

 be of considerable service in aiding- us to determine the nature of these 

 ]:)henomena. 



The existence of auroral discharges in the upper air and of mag- 

 netic storms makes it altogether possible that the sun and stars are 

 constantly emitting alpha and beta rays. Interstellar space is there- 

 fore probably filled with a very thin stream of electron and ionic 

 radiations. A considerable amount of attention to these radiations 

 has been given by Arrh cuius, B irk eland and S former. 



The Enolution and Den-oh'tion of the Elements. — In the 

 radio-activity of uranium and thorium we see the disintegration of 

 complex atoms into simpler atoms with the liberation of comparatively 

 enormous quantities of energy. Does the reverse process take place? 

 Is there an evolution of the elements? 



In seeking an answer for this (|uestion we must consider two 

 worlds, the intra-atomic world and the extra-atomic worlds. What 

 are the processes and the laws that govern the internal mechanism of 

 atoms? Is there such a thing as an intra-atomic temperature deter- 

 mined by the average kinetic energy of its parts.? What are the 

 means of conveying energy into and out of the atom? 



