Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-04-13
other Worlds Than Ours.


THE Chicago Tribune gives the follow
ing report of Prof Proctor's lecture on
g Other Worlds than Ours?
The lecturer began by saying that he
had come TO portion Of his subject that
was not exactly within the scope of
science. There was, however, a real
scientific interest in the movements of
other worlds. Their relation to other
bodies was chiefly interesting as bearing
upon the whole structure of the universe.
He wished to bring forward a theory that
every planet had its place, its growth and
death, which were governed by certain
rules. This was different from the theory
which Had been advocated by scientific
men for many years. Science had never
attacked eligion, though it frequently
came id conflict with it. Science simply
brought forward facts. He had theory
in regard to planets, which was that every
one bad its termination, its period OF
growth and its periods of decay and de-
struction. He had sbown how that theory
had been illustrated by the moon, and the
rule might be applied equally to the earth
and to every planet. When il Is consid-
cred that the beginning of planet is en-
tirely isolated from the beginning of all
others, il will be seen that no two present
exactly the same stage Of existence.
The room was darkened and picture
was exhibited on the wall, with the sun in
the center, with the earth and other plan
cts revolving around it. Another view
showed Mars, the Earth, Venus and Mer-
curry. The lecturer explained that by
reason Of their peculiar movements twas
difficult to observe any of them except
when they were on the opposite side Of
the sun. Another picture gave the rela-
tive sizes of the planets, showing that
Venus was nearest of any TO the size of
the Earth.
Several partial views of Venus and
Mercury were given, having such indica-
tons upon them as compelled the con-
elusion that they had an atmosphere. The
twilight signs upon portion OF Venus
taken during the recent transit confirmed
the idea that it was possessed Of an at
mosphere. When the planet was just en-
tering its transit, il was surrounded by a
rim of light, which was nothing more
than the light Of the sun raised above the
horizon by refraclion. Having proved
that the planet had an atmosphere, was it
not natural that that il was passing
through stage of preparation for life
Yet the seasons of Venus were most re-
markable. Its summer season was most ex-
traordinarily hot, and at midnight the sun
was still burning hot. In the winter it suf-
fered intense cold, SO that 1t was thus un-
fitted for habitation, solely on account OF
its position and its axis. Apparently,
therefore, the planet had failed in its pur-
pose Err. ss ~
In regard to the moon, the lecturer
stated that its orbit indicated il to be
planet similar to the earth in every re-
spect The planet Mars, when in con-
junction with the earth, which happens
very rarely, SHINES with very great
| brilliancy, but, in order to be observed,
requires very favorable conditions. 1t
presents vast fields OF snow. Land and
sea have very strange conformities, the
former largely predominating. 1t would
seem that 1t was very fit for the reception
of human life. Still it must be remem-
| bered that the planet is smaller than the
earth and sooner cooled, more remote
| from the sun, and therefore so bleak and
cold as to preclude life.
| The family of asteroids was innumer-
able, and could not be measured, though
| 1t had been estimated that they varied
from 900 miles to sixteen miles in diane
ter. They had, doubtless, sustained lite,
| though for only short time.
The planet Jupiter, being 300 miles
larger than the earth, was very different
from it. 1t seemed likely that ii was in
| an intermediate state between aplanet and
| sun. There was not single fact to
show that Jupiter was like the earth. A
fraction Of Jupiter exhibited large
! quantity of clouds and q very dense at
mosphere. The planet was crossed by
several clouds belts, which were visible
even When they we're ON the dark side OF
the planet 1t shines with more light
than could be reflected from the sun, and
appears to have some light OF lis own.
The planet Neptune changes in shape fire.
quently, its usual form being oval, but
sometimes bullying out at The sides. A
cloud belt On the equator indicates a great
heat in the center of the planet Another
view showed the entire heavens Of the
northern hemisphere, giving millions Of
suns. The lecturer concluded that out of
all these bodies there were countless num-
beers which were inhabited.