Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1868-12-11
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Observations demonstrate that the star
Sirius is receding from our earth at the rate
OF 40 miles in a second OF time, 2,400 miles
in a minute. In other words, a space equal
to that between Philadelphia and New OIL
cans is passed over in single min ute, and
la, 900 miles OF progress are made In every
hour. When We reflect that this recession
has been going on for ages, and yet that
Sirius presents to US the same appar-
cut magnitude, We are en- abled to form
some faint idea Of the enormous size of this
huge sun-ofthe almost incOnceivable veloc-
ity with which the stellar bodies are flying
through space, and Of the Unreasonable tx.
tent of that great universe which affords a
teld for such magnificent movements.
II our own solar system, with its great
central orb, the sun, and its attendant plan
cts, where all the celestial phenomena dis.
cernable by the eye OF man, the group
would be a glorious subject of contempla
ton. The immense orbits of our planets
around the central orb, with their astonisa.
ing regularity and unvaryiDg accuracy,
should Of themselves attract the intensesJ
curiosity and admiration. But when be-
yond this vast magnitude and complexity
We may observe in the Tar ether the stellar
81 stem, with its myriads OF suns, each one
OF which, in all probability, has coDgerie
worlds around it invisible 10 Us, the stupe0-
dous spectacle almost confounds our CON-
prehension,
But even this vastness and profussion Of
celestial phenomena constitute only the
threshold TO that inhnity Of splendid suns
which stud the outer domain OF the great
universe for there Is the Milky Way, one
misunderstood and moderated as mere
nebulosity, exalted by the superior power
OF Lord Ross telescope into system OF
brilliant suns, too vast aud grand to be FULLY
comprehended by man. But when We learn
that that telescope, applied to only limit
ed section Of the Milky Way, brought with
in the scope Of human vision more than
eighty thousand suns, we may be aided a
little ia our search after iDfnity. That far
beyond even this brilliant ring Of suns there
stretch out into the unfathomed abysses OF
space, on every side OF us, forever and TOR.
ever, with no possible limitation, other and
vaster systems even than these, what rea-
| sonaole man can doubtl A hmitless void
beyond what is invisible TO us would see u
To be bat an unmeaning blank in tue crea-
ton, and is, moreover, Inconsistent with as.
| Economical observations. With every gain
| 10 the way OF telescope improvement, the
heavens are sounded more deeply, aud the
new suns are brought into view and IL has
been fairly supposed that il an improve
ment In tclescUpic capacity could 20 on
continually increasing, the whole ornament
might be resolved into one unbroken canO-
/ ~ of tame aud light
To men unaccustomed to lift their eyes
TO the starry worlds around them, such Ian
guage might appear extrayagant. But the
| scientific astronomer 50 fOTtihes bis hypOth-
eses by proofs so tenabls even TO the siR-
| pest understanding that il is difficult TO
resist the suolimest of his impressions. He
calculates for US 70 the niceity of minutes
aud seconds the eclipses aud OcultatioDs &C.
curing 10 our solar system, 50 that the most
simple observer, through piece of smoked
glass, may verify the sGilitul prognOistic.-
| Being thus assured that the astronomer is a
dvaier in sober yerities, We may we'll afford
/ to trust him further, aud 10 receive as near
/ ly accurate those interesting maps OF the
Noon, with its conical mountains, and OF
Mars, with his curious intsrmixture Of
oceans with the dry land which so marked
/ ~ distinguished It's surface. We may we'll
grant crvdence, also, 10 the patient ohser-
yations OF science, when We are assured that
IN addition to the marvellous eyolutions
within our solar system, each Of which Is
an astounding spectacle, the entire system,
sun and planets, are moving at the rate Of
one hundred and fifty million miles per
annum in a vast orbit or a direct flight TO-
wards one Of the suns which constitutes the
PieEdes.
What other aud vaster movements there
may be in the great cycle OF intnity com
pretended in the phrase illimilable space,
who can venture TO sayi Bat In what is al
ready demonstrated TO exist 10 the starry
domain which nightly meets our uptured
gaze, there is surely enough 20 excite emo
tons OF wonder, admiration aud curiosity.
Philadelphia L. S. Gazette.