Abstract
THE science of terrestrial magnetism has on one previous occasion formed the topic of a Rede Lecture. Twenty-five years ago Sir E. Sabine delivered a discourse on this subject, with which his name will always be honourably connected. The length of time which has elapsed may perhaps justify a return to the same theme, though it must be admitted that now, as then, the study of the magnetic properties of the earth is in an early stage of development. It is true that considerable advances have been made in the theory of the nature of magnetism itself, and of its connection with electricity; but when we attempt to apply theory to explain the actual condition of the earth progress is at once checked by difficulties, many of which have hitherto proved insuperable. We have no real knowledge of why the earth is a magnet, no real knowledge as to why its magnetic state is continually changing, and thus we are compelled to spend long periods of time in collecting facts, which, though their number and complication oppress us, are still insufficient to answer some of the simplest questions that an inquirer, approaching the subject for the first time, would be sure to ask. Terrestrial magnetism is in this respect in the same stage as that occupied by astronomy during the centuries in which the data were accumulated on which Kepler and Newton worked. We have a certain grasp of the facts, but have not yet found the thread of theory which binds them together.
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Recent Researches on Terrestrial Magnetism1. Nature 57, 160–163 (1897). https://doi.org/10.1038/057160a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/057160a0