SUN-HEAT.
_Its Source and Limits._
Sun-heat is another product of the same retro-action between the sun and
earth; consequently it has the same range and the same boundaries as
when it is viewed as light.
_Tendencies to unsettle in Science._
The scientists of to-day may well look after the soundness of their
favorite theories of the great physical forces; for the uncertain tenure
of old theories, by reason of recent discoveries, is becoming but too
manifest. New phenomena are now observed which require solutions not met
by present hypotheses. The nebular hypothesis which has so long
possessed the scientific mind has, by the discovery of the moons of
Mars, become a thing of the past. According to M. MAICHE, water is found
to be no longer the old-fashioned conventional oxygen and hydrogen, but
essentially a new element must be considered in estimating its
composition.[6] Light is ascertained to be as veritable a substance as
water. The sun is recognized to be dark, cool, and habitable. Messages
go through the air from kite to kite ten miles apart without visible
agency. Telephonic sounds leap from wire to wire through quite ten feet
of space.
_Present theories of Supply of Sun-heat._
The present theories of the production and dissemination of sun-heat,
are simply accepted for want of better, and not because they account
satisfactorily for the phenomena.
The first and most prominent is the combustion theory, which, though
bearing the seal of ages, is obnoxious both to common and philosophic
reasoning. This theory presupposes a consumption of material beyond all
conception, and the supply of which has been no small tax upon the
scientific imagination. The source of this supply has been claimed to be
the subsidence of useless worlds, and of asteroids, and meteors,
showered down upon its surface. Estimates have been carefully made, and
we are gravely informed of the probable amount of combustive material
required to supply the sun's demands for given periods. It is said that
the coal-fields of Pennsylvania, which would supply the world's
consumption for centuries, would keep the sun's rate of emission for
considerably less than 1/1,000 part of a second. POUILLET estimated the
quantity of heat emitted by the sun per hour to be equal to the supply
of a layer of anthracite coal ten feet thick, spread over the whole
surface of the sun.
The theory advocated by HELMHOLTZ, and by many other scientists, of "the
gradual contraction of the solar orb," and that of SECCHI, "the
dissociation of compound bodies in the sun's substance," are attempts
after a more consistent philosophy.
The foregoing theories pre-suppose the sun to be a glowing fiery mass,
from which, in all directions, issue radiations of heat and light into
space. Of this enormous quantity of radiated heat, the earth is supposed
to receive but 1/2,000,000,000 part.
MEYER observes: "_A general law of nature which knows no exception_ is
the following: _In order to obtain heat, something must be expended._"
This combustion theory therefore calls for an enormous expenditure of
material for generating heat and light, together with a still further
expenditure of force for projecting these into all space, at all
distances. All these theories are therefore inconsistent with the
immutable law of the Conservation of Force.
_The true Source of Supply._
In seeking the source of supply of heat and light, we are compelled to
look for a philosophy more consistent than any hitherto advanced.
Controlled too much by the literal evidence of the senses and the
superficial appearance of things, we have ever regarded the sun as ALL
ALONE in developing and exercising these great forces.
The law of conservation compels us to look to the _earth_, a heretofore
neglected factor in this problem. This factor being introduced we shall
find the problem to be wonderfully simplified.
All space may rationally be regarded as complete vacuum, thus presenting
no resistance nor obstacles to the free progress of the retro-acting
elements. Distance is then virtually annihilated, and Mercury,
37,000,000 of miles from the sun, and Neptune, 2,800,000,000 of miles,
stand alike in their relations with the great central orb.
_The Earth's part in the Process._
The earth may no longer be regarded as having a merely passive part to
play. The forces in operation as between the earth and sun, are purely
co-operative, and the one precisely counterbalances the other. The
earth, therefore, must have a _vis viva_ within itself, capable of
reciprocating in the organic functions of the great vito-magnetic
circuit. We certainly know that it possesses a marvellous wealth of
resources. The following are the most important of its sources of _vis
viva_.
1st. The great reservoir of vito-magnetic fluid, the vast incandescent
earth-core. The presence and activity therein of mighty force,--of heat,
and motion, in the highest degree, are abundantly shown by various
terrestrial phenomena. These phenomena, while perfectly familiar to
observers, seem never to have received any fitting interpretation.
2d. Motions and frictions of every kind;[C] the motions of the waters of
the earth, the great oceans, with their rolling tides sweeping the whole
circumference of the earth twice in twenty-four hours, at a speed of one
thousand miles per hour; with its frictions upon itself, the bottom, and
the shores; its great storms lashing it into fury, and its gentler
motions from lesser winds; also the motions of all seas, rivers, and
rain-falls.
3d. So all motions of the air, in form of hurricanes, lesser winds, or
zephyrs; tearing their way through forests, and hills, and through
space; or causing gentlest flutter of leaflet. We have witnessed their
goings forth, but have neglected to calculate their mission.
4th. All chemical actions.
5th. All combustions.
6th. All evaporations.
The _earth_ is thus elaborating in all her gigantic processes, the
materials and forces, which _she_ furnishes in the great interchange.
How strangely have these great sources of _vis viva_ remained
practically unheeded until the present time.
_The Sun's part in the Process._
The part performed by the sun may but feebly be conceived.[7] Within its
vast proportions (being 1,000 times as large as all the planets
combined) may be found every element suited to all requirements.
_We seek a new Philosophy._
The construction of a true philosophy of the physical forces must depend
now upon our rightly understanding the _modus operandi_ of the
conveyance, and utilization, of these sun-elements, and the workings of
this sun-power.
The presence of a veritable flood of light, heat, and magnetic force, as
in motion from the sun to the earth, has ever been recognized. _The line
of greatest intensity of this solar, or vito-magnetic current, is found
along the line of greatest diameters of those bodies._ The centre of
this current reaches the earth at, or near the equator.
It is a well-established fact that from the equator to the poles a
continuous magnetic flood is ever in motion.[8]
In thus tracing the course of the magnetic current from the sun to the
equator, and thence to the poles, a physical necessity, made imperative
by the inexorable law of conservation, indicates that a _retro_-current
from the earth back to the sun, must now have part in the process.
Should such be the case, as all reason and philosophy affirm, we have a
completed _"Grand Magnetic Circuit," in and through which all physical
phenomena have their origin_. But aside from the logical necessity, we
hold that there are terrestrial phenomena, which, rightly interpreted,
point to just such a retro-acting inter-communication.
_Old Phenomena, and new Interpretations._
The phenomenon, the aurora borealis, or polaris, has never been
satisfactorily explained. It is acknowledged as purely magnetic in
character, and to be due to the passage of currents upward from the
earth. It has received the regard due to a mere negative though
brilliant exhibition, whereas the character, extent, and significance of
its manifestations should have caused it to be greeted, and studied, as
the index of the operation of very positive cosmical functions.
HUMBOLDT regarded this process as "the restoration of a disturbed
equilibrium;" and so indeed it is, but it is an equilibrium, not simply
as between the earth, and atmosphere. Various observers have estimated
the altitude to which the aurora sometimes reaches, at from 80 to 265
miles. The fact that the _bulk_ of the atmosphere reaches but _three
miles_ above the earth's surface, forbids it to be regarded as purely a
terrestro-atmospheric phenomenon.
While viewing the more striking and brilliant exhibitions of the aurora,
the more undemonstrative and by far the most important and vital
operations have been disregarded. The former may not be observed, except
occasionally, and fitfully, _can_ only be present when favoring
meteorological conditions admit of its disclosure. The latter, more
unobtrusive and even invisible to the naked eye, are incessantly, and at
all seasons, in action, by day as well as by night.[9] May not this
auroral display then be regarded in a measure as confirmatory of what
the law of conservation had already suggested to us; the existence of a
_retro_-current?
_Well understood Processes in Confirmation._
The suggestion of a simple, adequate, and perfect theory is given us by
an ordinary electro-magnetic battery. Let the conducting wire from such
a battery extend half around the circumference of this globe. It is
apparently as quiet and dormant as is our earth; yet in those cold
plates, solutions, and wire, there lie the hidden elements of heat,
light, and power. At the distant extremity of the wire, when not
connected with the earth, we may have none of the manifestations of
heat, light, or attraction--even though the plates are put into the
solution. But let us now make the connection between the extremity of
the wire and the earth, _then_ the circuit is complete, and heat, light,
and attraction are disclosed in highest degree.
Now from the _Great Sun Battery_,[10] in which we locate the one _Great
Universal Force: Newton's "Higher and Still Unknown Force,"_ every
one recognizes a current constantly present, setting towards the earth.
That current is recognized as bringing us our light and heat. But
without a _retro_-current, should we have a circuit complete? Should we
have any of these phenomena?
_Heat without Combustion._
Neither _in_ the battery nor _near_ the battery do the phenomena
manifest themselves. Though the developer of light, heat, and power, the
battery itself is neither luminous, hot, nor magnetic. "To explain the
effects of the sun, therefore, there is not the least reason to infer
that it is itself luminous, or even warm. Potential action generated in
a dark, cold body, may produce great heat and light, at a distance from
the seat of activity; and _what is thus wrought artificially in a small
way may surely be done naturally in a tremendous fashion by the grand
forces of the sun_."
_Inter-currents._
It is now well known that a number of currents may pass in each
direction, at the same time, over one and the same telegraph wire; and
in like manner, great solar currents may pass to and fro without
interference.
_Solution of the Problem._
Sun-heat, therefore, like sunlight and gravity, is a veritable
production, yet it is not due to the process of combustion. It is not
dependent for its creation upon the destruction of fabulous quantities
of substantial materials. _The rather does it originate in, and is it
disseminated through the vast energies of spheres retro-acting upon
spheres throughout the whole universe of matter._
FOOTNOTES:
[6] Appendix, p. 99.
[7] Appendix, p. 100.
[8] Appendix, p. 100.
[9] Appendix, p. 101.
[10] Appendix, p. 102.
[C] In the motions of the spheres through space, unlike all other forms
of motion, there is no element of resistance. This form of motion is
therefore incapable of developing _vis viva_.