THE INSIDE OF A STAR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 16 July 1925, Page 3

THE INSIDE OF A STAR

PROBLEMS EIRE A CROSS WORD PUZZLE

Professor A. S. Eddington, Plumian Professor of .Astronomy in the University of Cambridge, lectured in the University of .Manchester on "the interior of a star." He discussed certain recent theoretical formulae For calculating the internal ’he,ai and pressure of a star. ,it was calculated, he .said, that the heat of a tvpical star tit the centre was from 5,000.000 On 20,000,000 degrees. The validity of the formulae adopted depended upon the assumption that the given star was a perfect gas. Stars varied in. density. Thu sun, for instance, had a density rather higher than that of water. Some had a density like that of air; others a density much high, er than that of the sun, approaching even the density of platinum. Was it not possible that stellar material might have a high density—as high as 50.000 times that of water—and yet remain perfectly gaseous? Then* was reason to think it was. At all events the problems involved were like a cross-word puzzle, in the sense that they were only at the fascinating stage of filling in certain words which appeared to fit. Presently they might reach a stage at which they would be compelled to use the india rubber freely.