THE STARS IN ACTION^ 



By Alfred H. Joy 



This is an age of action. Progress and change are the order of 

 the day. Ilhistrated papers which can be read at a glance, motion 

 pictures for entertainment and instruction, and the ever-increasing 

 speed of locomotion by motor cars and airplanes indicate the popu- 

 lar tendency. Public interest and attention are rapidly diverted 

 from one activity to another. The ever-changing array of passing 

 heroes is the result of a common desire for novel activity in many 

 lines of eifort. No matter how fine the museum exhibit of the re- 

 sults of art or industry, the crowds of young and old turn away to 

 surround the display with a mechanical adaptation which shows 

 some actual process at work. 



Among the stars the lover of astronomy finds a fascinating story 

 of activity w^hich claims his supreme interest. The heavenly bodies 

 reveal to the present-day scientist the irresistible charm of action 

 in many different aspects, from the tremendous bustle of atoms and 

 electrons to the stately movement of giant orbs three hundred times 

 the diameter of our sun. 



Probably the recognition of life, especially intelligent life, on the 

 moon or one of the planets would be the astronomical discovery that 

 would evoke the greatest popular interest. In 1835 the New York 

 Sun printed an account of life on the moon which purported to 

 come from the observations of Sir John Herschel with a new mam- 

 moth telescope 24 feet in aperture located at the Cape of Good 

 Hope in South Africa. It was a most clever hoax, depicting forms 

 of life on the moon far different from those existing on the earth. 

 Trees, animals, and flying men were described in detail, and their 

 habits of life as observed were skillfully pictured. These stories 

 were continued in installments on several successive days. The office 

 of the Sun was stormed for copies and back numbers. New York 

 was almost frantic. All other topics of conversation were forgotten. 

 In a few days the Sun, which had been established only two years, 



1 A popular lecture given Dec. 15, 1927, under the auspices of the Astronomical Society 

 of the Pacific at Culbertson Hall, California Institute of Technology. Pasadena. Calif. 

 Reprinted by permission from the Publications of the Astronomical Society of tlie Pacific, 

 Vol. XL, April, 1928. 



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