24 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 66 



In lines 4 and 5 of our note strike out the words " they determine 

 the wave length of maximum energy, and from it." 



In line 16 strike out the words " position of the maximum of 

 energy " and substitute the words " form of the solar energy curve 

 outside the atmosphere." 



In lines 26 and 27 strike out the words '" position of maximum 

 energy in its spectrum," and substitute the words '' form of its energy 

 spectrum distribution." 



Strike out lines 32 to 41, inclusive. 



As thus modified the main thesis of our note is as follows : Esti- 

 mates of the solar constant of radiation based on estimates of the 

 solar temperature involve: (i) The extrapolation of radiation laws 

 thousands of degrees beyond the temperature to which they have 

 been experimentally verified; (2) the assumption that the sun radi- 

 ates like a " black body " in the face of experimental evidence that 

 it does not; (3) dependence on the accuracy of the determination of 

 the form of the solar-spectrum energy curve outside our atmosphere, 

 which is a result of difficult and uncertain investigation. In short 

 such estimates are not determinations of the solar constant, but are 

 merely elaborate tissues of speculation. On the other hand we base 

 our determination on sound and simple theory checked and verified 

 at every point and applied nearly a thousand times under the most 

 diverse circumstances, with closely agreeing results. 



^ New Evidence on the Intensity of Solar Radiation Outside the Atmosphere. 

 By C. G. Abbot. F. E. Fowle, and L. B. Aldrich. Smith. Misc. Coll., Vol. 65, 

 No. 4. June 19, 1915. 



- Am. Jour. Sci., 4th Sen, Vol. 36, 609, 1913. 



