This phenomenon is absolutely general and is observed on the entire
globe, from the equator to the poles, in the same manner; the amplitude
of the oscillation increases with the latitude but not proportionately;
it only amounts to 1 or 2 minutes of arc in the tropics, to 9 minutes
in France, and 7 minutes in Norway. This variation corresponds sensibly
to the variation of temperature, the amplitude of which increases
from the tropics to the poles. Heat, electricity, water-vapour, and
barometric pressure are all associated with it.
There are certain perturbations, to be mentioned presently, to which
some human beings are sometimes a little too sensive. We live enveloped
in an invisible world.
The amplitude of this daily oscillation varies from day to day,
from month to month, from year to year. If we take the mean of the
observations of a whole year, we find that from one year to another
it changes from a certain amount to double that amount and that this
annual variation is regulated by a law. It is periodic, and the average
period is eleven or twelve years.
For instance, in 1870 the oscillation was twelve minutes of arc and in
1878 it was six minutes. I take the figures for London, Prague, Munich,
Rome, and Milan--not those for France, for no observations were made in
that terrible year, or they were made badly, and I made many enemies
by insisting upon them.
That year, 1870, was a maximum. There were other maxima, but not quite
so great, in 1883, 1893, 1905, and in 1916. The cycle varies from ten
to thirteen years.
Now, this behaviour of the magnetic needle corresponds exactly to the
state of health of the Sun, i.e. its activity or the number of sunspots
or whirlpools which indicate it as well as its gigantic flames,
protuberances, faculæ, and the various manifestations of its radiating
power.
There was a very considerable maximum of sunspots in 1870. Another
maximum occurred in 1883 and another in 1905, but the latter were less
marked than that of 1870. In 1918 another very well defined maximum
occurred.
Minima of sunspots, protuberances, and faculæ were observed in 1878,
1889, 1901, and 1913. Now, these maxima and minima correspond exactly
with the variation of the compass needle, as is shown in the tables and
curves published in my _Astronomie Populaire_.
If curves are traced for solar activity on the one hand and magnetic
oscillation on the other hand, it is found that the two curves are
absolutely parallel. Science has been able to trace this parallelism
very far, as far back indeed as the eighteenth century, and it is
found to include the aurora borealis, which is a magnetic phenomenon.
The concordance is evident and absolutely incontestable.
Thus there constantly emanates from the Sun a force different from
light and heat, a force we do not perceive with our senses and which
places our small and mobile planet in constant communication with our
central star, which is more than a million times greater in volume.