New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-03-12
size OF the Universe.

| In some articles in reference to the extraordi-
nary spendor of the heavens at this season OF the
year, we gave running description Of what may
be seen Of night by any one disposed 70 look up
for an hour or two, combining ourselvesfor the most
part to facts within the range of the unasssted eye
We propose in this, the last article on the subject,
to give the reader something of an idea OF the reye-
lations of modern astronomy in reference to the
size of the universe whose myriad glores nightly
pass over the heads Of millions of people utterly
unmindful of them.
II NAV be well to remark that the universe Of
John Locke and Lord Bacon--that IS, the matter
which they looked upon as constituting the uni
verse---did not occupy space larger than what we
now know is comprehended within the limits of the
sun. sphere Of eight or nine hundred thousand
miles in diameter would have enclosed the visible
heavens, according to the views OF philosophers
who fiourished scarcely more than one hundred
years ago. And somewhere in the writings Of one
Of the great men just mentioned there is a passage
which is intended to put o quietus upon the notion
that the universe is limitless in its extent.
We shall now. in our own way, attempt to de-
velop the idea of an endless universe.
Since the earth has been the abiding place Of
man. it has, according to tradition, made in round
numbers say six Thousand revolutions round the
sun. Each of these revolutions comprises the cir
conference of circle about four hundred millions
of miles in length. The six thousand revolutions
would then make about two thousand billions of
miles. IT, instead Of proceeding around the sun,
the earth at the date of man, had showed of in
SEraEHt line TOWARDS Tie uehIeSt u tt MAtu nlaISs
It would have accomplished in the whole six thou
sand years, comprehended between that and the
present time only one-tenth part Of the entire dis
lance, though moving at the rate of about twelve
hundred thousand miles in day. Thus the appa-
rent diameter Of a star towards which 1t would
have approached would have increased only one
tenth part Of ITSELF difference not perceptible,
except with the aid of instruments Of the most
delicate construction. Fifty-four thousand years
would be still required in which to accomplish the
distance.
1t is evident that the motion of the earth is Alto
gether too slow to be successfully used in present
ing proper idea Of this vast distance. We will
call in the aid of the force which moves so rapidly
over the wires of the telegraph.
According to some recent Investigations in refer
ence to the velocity of the electric current over
the wires Of the telegraph, 10000 miles per second
has been fixed upon as the rate of motion. Sup
pose now, that telegraph COMMUNICATION could
be made with the beautiful star of Sirius. At this
rate of motion it would require about one hundred
years to transmit message and receive q reply.
This il ample time enough for three generations Of
men to elect Presidents in. IF, however, we should
decide upon forming line of communication with
the nebua of Orion instead Of Sirius, the time ii
would require in which to say good morning. to
friend who might reside in that mysterious clus
ter, and receive an answer, would amount to not
less than three hundred and sixty thousand years.
III the line is transferred to the outermost star vsi
BILE to the "eye of astronomy the years in which
a message might be transmitted would be repre-
scented by millions, perhaps billions.