3. THE SUN,-SYMBOL O. Shape, spherical. Size = 883,000 miles in diameter. Volume (Earth unity) = 1,407,124. Illuminating power (at Earth's distance of 95,000,000 miles) 5570 wax candles at 1 foot distance. = Colour, white, by accumulation and combination of proportionate quantities of red, yellow, and blue rays. Intensity of heat, greater than any artificial mode of production. Rotation on axis = 25 days. Inclination of axis to plane of ecliptic 7° 30'. Greatest distance = 96,600,000 miles. Mean distance 95,000,000 miles. = = Mean apparent diameter 32′ 1.8". Constitution-a dark and perhaps cool central body; coated with an atmosphere, very dense, and containing several concentric strata of compact clouds. Photosphere-the outer stratum of cloud, the external edge of which is, to us, the visible surface of the Sun, and gives out all the light and heat which we feel. Condition of surface-extreme agitation and incandescence, as from excessive heat. |