LIGHT-DARKNESS
That day is a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness.
—Zephaniah 1:15
3114 The “Nova” Experience
Until recently, most astronomers believed that our sun could maintain its present heat-energy output for at least another eight million years, because its hydrogen supply is only about half exhausted.
More recently, however, this theory has been reappraised. It is now believed that once a star (our sun, by the way, is just a medium-sized star) has expended half of its hydrogen, it is in danger of experiencing a nova. This means that a star the size of our sun gets brighter and hotter for a period of about 7 to 14 days—then becomes darker.
There are about fourteen novas a year in the observable universe. Many astronomers believe that our own sun may be about to nova because of the increased sun-spot activity.
3115 Nature Of Light
Science tells us that light is constituted of three rays, or groups of wavelengths, distinct from each other, no one of which without the others would be light. Each ray has its own separate function. The first originates, the second formulates, illuminates or manifests, and the third consummates. The first ray, often called invisible light, is neither seen nor felt. The second is both seen and felt. The third is not seen but is felt as heat.
—Christian Victory
3116 Speed Of Light As Standard
Einstein said that the reason he could construct the theory of relativity was because there is one thing in the world that is unchangeable. That one thing—the speed of light—is the only constant in this physical, material universe.
Light travels at the rate of one hundred and eighty-six thousand miles per second—seven times around the world at the tick of a clock.
3117 A Correction?
Meanwhile, scientists at the National Physical Laboratory in London have issued a correction on how fast light travels, according to a newsreport. With new measurements, they say the figure is 299,792, 459 meters a second, or one meter a second faster than the current internationally accepted figure.
The scientists said they based their calculations on the wave length and frequency of light from a laser.
3118 “Carrying” The Olympic Flame
Modern technology and ancient tradition went hand-in-hand at the official opening of the Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada. This was how the Olympic flame was “taken” from Athens to Montreal:
A runner (1) carried the flame from its home in Athens to an electric sensor, (2) which then activated a transmitter. (3) The transmitter passed the message on to a satellite, and (4) thence to a receiver, (5) on to the North American continent. The receiver activated a laser beam which (6) passed through another sensor, (7) to ignite the flame in an urn (8) in Ottawa. Canadian runners then carried the flame south (9) to Montreal, site of the 1976 Games.
3119 Putting Two and Two Together
A physics professor called on one of his students to list some characteristics of heat and cold.
“Things expand in heat and contract in cold,” answered the student.
“Give an example.”
“In summer,” answered the student, “the days are long and in winter the days are short.”
3120 Epigram On Light-Darkness
• I’d rather light a candle than curse the darkness.
—James Kelley
See also: Day And Night ; Heavenly Phenomenon ; Signs And Wonders ; Amos 5:20; 8:9; Zech. 14:6; Rev. 16:10.