THE LIFE OF THE SUN.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXVI, Issue 4469, 8 September 1911, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE LIFE OF THE SUN.

Tho reason why tho sun retains its heat, in spite of tho quantity that it gives out, is explained by the fact that heat is generated by the fall of particles toward its centre. Tho diameter of tho sun diminishes annually by one hundred and fifty metres, a little more than tho ten-millionth part of its total. According to estimates made, thirty thousand years will pass before the solar radius diminishes enough to produce an effect appreciable by the most delicate instruments—always supposing that tho astronomical instruments of the future will bo similar to the instruments of the present. By like calculations it is estimated that the sun wrl send heat to tho earth between six millions and eight millions of years longer. Radium, which emits heat spontaneously and without cessation, is nvesont •in the sun. One gram of radium frees enough heat in oho hour to raise a grain of water from the temperature • of ice to tho temperature of boiling water. Hence tho presence of this element assists in the preservation of tbo sun’s heat. The spectroscope reveals great quantities of helium in the sun; quantities great in pronortion to the sun’s other elements. The presence of helium is duo to tho di=a£rnrregation of radium. Two grams of radium per ton of the sun’s elements would be enough for the entire regeneration of all the heat ever lost by the sun.