Solar Eclipse oj July, 1860. 381. 



Physical constitution of the Sun. — A reconstraction or even a 

 complete abandonment of the tlieoiy hitherto prevalent as to the 

 physical constitution of the sun appears to me essential. It must 

 give place to one far more simple. 



We have been hitherto assured that the sun was composed of 

 a central dark globe ; that above this globe existed an immense 

 atmosphere of sombre clouds, still higher was placed the pboto- 

 sphere, a self-luminous, gaseous envelope, and the source of the 

 light and heat of the sun. Where the clouds of the photosphere 

 are rent, says the old theory, the dark body of the sun is seen in 

 the spots which so frequently appear. To this complex constitu- 

 tion must be added a third envelope formed of the accumulation of 

 roseate clouds. 



Now, I fear that the greater part of these envelopes are only 

 fictious — that the sun is a body, luminous, simply because of its 



high temperature, and covered by an unbroken layer of roseate 

 matter whose existence is now proved. This luminary thus form- 

 ed of a central nucleus, liquid or solid, and covered by an atmos- 

 phere, falls within the law common to the constitution of celes- 

 tial bodies. 



[M. Le Verrier goes on to discuss with some detail the 

 solar spots in the light of these new views, but this we must 

 defer for another occasion. It is certain that a subject of so 

 much interest will command much consideration from physicists 

 and astronomers and we will take care to give it the attention it 

 deserves. 



Nor will the question be settled peaceably — already M. Faye 

 (Comptes Bend., Aug. 13) in presenting to the French Academy 

 a long letter from Baron Feilitzsch with an account of his obser- 

 vations (also in Spain), declares it to be his opinion as well as 

 tbat of Baron F. that the eclipse of 1860, furnishes the most de- 

 cisive evidence in favour of the opinion which refers the corona 

 and the luminous clouds to simple optical appearances, and not to 

 the essential constitution of the sun or of his atmosphere. M. 

 Faye adds that the opinion appears to be confirmed by a compar- 

 ison of the results of other observers— that the sun has no atmos- 

 phere and that the appearance are purely optical ! — Ed.] 



