The
third requirement is the best of instruments, specially devised to
meet the requirements. In this respect we may be sure that nothing
attainable by human ingenuity will be found wanting.
Thus provided, Professor Hale has entered upon the task of
studying the sun, and recording from day to day all the changes
going on in it, using specially devised instruments for each
purpose in view. Photography is made use of through almost the
entire investigation. A full description of the work would require
an enumeration of technical details, into which we need not enter
at present. Let it, therefore, suffice to say in a general way
that the study of the sun is being carried on on a scale, and with
an energy worthy of the most important subject that presents
itself to the astronomer. Closely associated with this work is
that of Professor Langley and Dr. Abbot, at the Astro-Physical
Observatory of the Smithsonian Institution, who have recently
completed one of the most important works ever carried out on the
light of the sun. They have for years been analyzing those of its
rays which, although entirely invisible to our eyes, are of the
same nature as those of light, and are felt by us as heat.
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