Abstract
THE LAW OF SPECTRAL SERIES.—Previously in this column (vol. lv. p. 137) we have referred to some of the work which has been done with the object of finding satisfactory formulæ for the computation of the wave-lengths of lines which form spectral series. Two further interesting communications have recently been published, which are important in that they suggest that the formulæ at present in use are only roughly approximate for the series as a whole, and that the anomalies which here and there are found may eventually be satisfactorily explained. The first of these communications is due to Prof. T. N. Thiele (Astrophysical Journal for August), who has for some time been occupied with investigations on the law of spectral series, and whose remarks are of considerable importance. The problem, as he states, is a very troublesome one, and those who occupy themselves with it cannot hope to make, so far as his experience goes, those little discoveries which relieve tedious investigations. In fact, one's fundamental assumptions often give way before the constant criticism to which they are exposed. The general law of series is, however, still wanting, although the more or less complete resolution of spectra into series may be now approximately accomplished. Prof. Thiele's work has proved that the law, which expresses the wave lengths of the lines in a spectral series, must have the form
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Our Astronomical Column. Nature 56, 597–598 (1897). https://doi.org/10.1038/056597a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/056597a0