Dark stars revolve around bright ones in an
infinite variety of ways, and complex systems of bodies, the
members of which powerfully attract each other, are the rule
throughout the universe. Moreover, we can set no limit to the
possible number of dark or invisible stars that may be flying
through the celestial spaces. While, therefore, we cannot regard
the theory of collision as established, it seems to be the only
one yet put forth which can lay any claim to a scientific basis.
What gives most color to it is the extreme suddenness with which
the new stars, so far as has yet been observed, invariably blaze
forth. In almost every case it has been only two or three days
from the time that the existence of such an object became known
until it had attained nearly its full brightness. In fact, it
would seem that in the case of the star in Perseus, as in most
other cases, the greater part of the outburst took place within
the space of twenty-four hours. This suddenness and rapidity is
exactly what would be the result of a collision.
The most inexplicable feature of all is the rapid formation of a
nebula around this star. In the first photographs of the latter,
the appearance presented is simply that of an ordinary star.
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