The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-02-25
The Age Of the Earth, According to
Prof. Proctor.

SOASAASS
satisfactory information as to space
than to time. We have first the size
OF our own earth to use as basis of
measuring the planets around us. To
get an idea how this is accomplished,
picture the earth as globe one inch in
diameter, the sun three yards in diane
ter, and the distance between the two
3OOyards. This will convey much bet
ter idea of the difference in size between
the earth and the sun than if we dealt
in the stupendous figures which are
actually correct. From this diminutive
sphere astronomers have to survey the
sun and the whole solar system, and it
will readily be seen that the angles
upon which we make our measurements
must be so minute that observations
must be, most carefully made, for the
smallest error would make difference
from correct results of many miles.
In measuring time we have no basis
to work upon. If we ever know posi-
lively the age Of the earth our
movements would be greatly facii-
tated. All estimates are comparatively
doubtful, although biologists tell us
chat there are certain conditions in the
crust of the earth which have taken such
and such terms of years to form, and
from their deductions I think mod
crate estimate of the age of the earth
would be 500,000,000 years, and this is
generally accepted by the most emi-
nent biologists. Even this is uncer-
tain, however, as, the changes in the
.earth's crust having ali been formed by
the action OF the sun, we do not know
that that action has been uniform
throughout all these years. We know
that before the crust formed the earth
was in a molten condition, but finally
cooled off and became solid. Now, sup
posing the molten mass was at heat of
1900 degrees centigrade, and had to
cool down to 200, the highest rate at
which life could exist, it would have
taken, according to scientists, at least
35O,00O,000 years; add 5O,OOO.000 years
for the time during which the earth
was contracting, and then 100,OOOO00
years which the crust has taken to
form, and we have q total of 500,O0OO0O
years. The solar system as at present
understood corresponds with this idea
of the age of the earth and we work on
the basis that the smaller the planet
the older it is, and in the cooling-off
process the molten mass contracts and
grows smaller and smaller. The moon
is believed to have passed through all
the stages which the earth has under
gone, and, being considerably older,
has experienced many changes which
the earth may expect to experience.
Jupiter, on the other hand, being much
larger than the earth, is believed to be
much younger, and it is estimated that
it will not reach the present condition
of the earth for 5000, 100000 OF years.
] We find that Venus, being nearly
our own age, is surrounded by atmos-
phere, and has oceans and seas some
thing Like our own, and we may call
her our sister planet. The earth will
constantly get smaller, and smaller
until it gets to the size Of Venus, and
from that to the size and condition of
the moon. Now, let us see what OBJ
servers have found out about the moon.
We find that it is desert, and as DESC
late pace as can be imaginedl It is
covered with craters and seams, and
we find declivities which show signs
of having been filed by large bodies of
water. They are empty now, however,
and there is no water to be discovered
on the moons surface. It is believed
that this water has retreated into the
bowels of the planet, for the moon is a
planet the same as any other. There
being no atmosphere surrounding it of
itself would render life impossible, and
we may expect that after the lapse of
many millions of years our oceans will
dry up and the earth become uninhab-
table by any living being.