34S 
NEWS FEOM JUPITEK. 
By RICHAED A. PEOOTOR, B.A. (Cambridge), 
Honorary Secretary of the Royal Astronomical Society, 
Author of ‘‘Other Worlds than Ours,” “The Sun,” 
“ The Moon,” “ Saturn,” &c. &c. 
rP,HE planet Jupiter has passed during the last year through 
J_ a singular process of change. The planet has not, indeed, 
assumed a new appearance, but has gradually resumed its 
normal aspect after three or four years, during which the 
mid zone of Jupiter has been aglow with a peculiar ruddy 
light. The zone is now of a creamy-white colour, its ordinary 
hue. We have, in fact, reached the close of a period of dis- 
turbance, and have received a definite answer to questions 
which had arisen as to the reality of the change described by 
observers. Many astronomers of repute were disposed to 
believe that the peculiarities recently observed were merely 
due to the instruments with which the planet has been ob- 
served — not, indeed, to any fault in those instruments, but, in 
fact, to their good qualities in showing colour. A considerable 
number of the earlier accounts of Jupiter’s change of aspect 
came from observers who used the comparatively modern form 
of telescope known as the silvered-glass reflectors, and it is 
well known that these instruments are particularly well suited 
for the study of colour-changes. Nevertheless, observations 
made with the ordinary refracting telescope were not wanting ; 
and it had begun to be recognised that Jupiter really had 
altered remarkably in appearance, even before that gradual 
process of change which, by restoring his usual aspect, enabled 
every telescopist to assure himself that there had been no 
illusion in the earlier observations. 
I propose now to discuss certain considerations which appear 
to me to indicate the nature and probable meaning of the 
phenomena which have recently been observed in Jupiter. 
It seems to me that these phenomena are full of interest, 
whether considered in themselves or in connection with those 
