This Prof. Lemström maintains contrary to those who believe they see in terrestrial magnetism, or rather in the induction currents, what is capable of developing the origin of the Polar Light.
Theories of MM. Becquerel and De la Rive.
Theories of MM. Becquerel and De la Rive.
M. Becquerel’s theory is that solar spots are cavities by which hydrogen and other substances escape from the sun’s protosphere. That the hydrogen takes with it positive electricity which spreads into planetary space, even to the earth’s atmosphere and the earth itself, always diminishing in intensity because of the bad conducting-power of the successive layers of air and of the earth’s crust. That would then only be negative, as being less positive than the air. The diffusion of electricity through planetary space would be limited by the diffusion of matter, since it cannot spread in a vacuum. That gaseous matter extends further than the limits usually assigned to the earth’s atmosphere, is proved by the observation of Auroræ at heights of 100 and 200 kilometres, where some gaseous matter must exist. M. de la Rive agrees with M. Becquerel as to the electric origin of the Aurora, but considers the earth is charged with negative electricity and is the source of the positive atmospheric electricity, the atmosphere becoming charged by the aqueous vapour rising in tropical seas. The action of the sun he considers is an indirect one, varying with the state of the sun’s surface, as shown by coincidences in the periods of Aurora and sun-spots.
M. Planté’s Electric Experiments.
M. Planté’s experiments. Effects produced resembling Auroræ.
M. Planté has performed some experiments with a very considerable series of secondary batteries. By inserting the positive electrode after the negative in a vessel of salt water, luminous and other effects were observed which were considered to have a strong resemblance to those of Auroræ.
M. Planté advocates the theory that the imperfect vacuum of the upper regions, acting like a large conductor, plays the part of the negative electrode in his experiments, while the positive electricity flows towards the planetary spaces, and not towards the ground, through the mists and ice-clouds which float above the Poles.
M. Planté’s experiments producing a corona, an arc, or a sinuous line.