Kentucky Gazette

SPOTS ON THE SUN'S DISK.

The Sun at rising yesterday exhibited an extraordinary appearance, obvious to every eye. As it rose above the horizon, the phenomenon exhibited itself to the inquisitive examiner in the form described by an intelligent and scientific friend in the following communication. Speaking of phenomena, the weather for some days past may be reckoned among them. Without rain for now about three weeks, the whole atmosphere is filled with a thick haze, the inconvenience of which is not diminished by the clouds of impalpable dust which floats in the air. The fields exhibit more of the aridity of Autumn, than of the freshness and verdure of Spring.—Editor Nat. Intel.

FOR THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.

A large Spot appears this day on the Sun's disk. Viewed through a Telescope its figure is irregular—it consists of several nuclei or dark parts, and the whole is surrounded by an Umbra. Its general appearance is not unlike that of a cluster of Islands, for example, the Bermudas, surrounded by a Belt of Rocks, the outlines of which conforms to the general figure of the cluster. It is conjectured that the longest line that can be drawn within this cluster, is at least 40,000 miles, or about five times the diameter of our earth.

Various opinions have been suggested relative to the cause of these spots. They are not unfrequent; 50 at one time have been seen; they gradually increase and gradually decrease, and, after certain periods, disappear. It is probable that they are fixed and not floating.—

From many observations made on the apparent motion of these phenomena, the Sun's diurnal rotation on his axis is found to be performed in about 23 days 6 hours.

Z.
Washington City, April 30.