Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-16
COVERED WITH STAR DUST.
A Far-fstcbed Theory About the
Esrth's Growth.
90 "A A.e1n ~ So.

Esrth's Growth.
From the Nete York Sun.
Two Russian astronomers have Just
made public the results of series of in
yestigations of the fall ofmeteoric matter
upon the earth. Nothing could seem
more absolutely clear and free from all
haze or impurity than the inter-stellar
spaces, yet the studies of these investi-
gators show that the ether of the star
depths. particularly in the neIghborhood
of suns, is rather to be compared with the
dusty atmosphere Of hay NOW that with
that perfectly transparent medium that
we are wont to picture To ourselves as
forming the pathway Of light between the
stars. AS the earth pursues its spiral
course around the sun and with the sun
Onward through the universe this star
dust continually settles upon it, sitting
down through the atmosphere in surpris-
ing quantities. Part Of II comes from
meteOric bodies, many millions of which
plunge into the atmosphere every day
and are consumed with a sudden flash Of
light and heat; part is probably mere dust
when 1t enters the atmosphere, for these
meteoric bodies undoubtedly vary in size
from huge bOlides larger than the pro-
with hundred times its velocity to mere
microscopic particles.
There Is good reason for calling this
matter star dust, for il partakes of the
nature Of the stars IN it's composition. and
sometimes presents evidence that il has
actually been subjected to the frightful
heat and pressure that prevail in suns.
Some may have come from our own SUM-
for masses Of incandescent matter are
occasionally shot from Its tumbing fire.
depths with velocity which We know
must carry them. like solar missiles, out
among the planets and far into the
celestial spaces until perhaps they fall
upon some DISTANT star A large part OF
the meteorlc matter may always have be-
longtd % The solar system. representing
the remnant Of the material ~ the Oiigiual
nebula watch was NOT COMPOUNDED INTO
the sun or any Of the planets. but con-
densed into clouds of minute paf ticles. Ii
Is not impossible that moteOric matter
may have fallen upon the earth which
was shot from the gigantic volcanoes
OF the moon In the elrlier ares OF its his.
tory, when, judging from present appear
aneea IL must have sailed vpritahlp
spittire through toe heavens. al Of its
thousands Of volcanoes hurting their
bombs skyWard in every direction.
Fortunately this me'eoric dust possessps
characteristics when distinguish ID from
dust Of terrestrial oriiin, and so It's
presence has been traced all over the
earth. IL has been found on mountain
peaks, ~ the c0bwebs Of unswept cath.
dral towers, in the snoWhelds OF the
Arctic regions, and even in the ooze of the
oceans bottom. The earth Is slowly
growing by virtue Gifts constant downfall.
The latest investigations show that not
less than 1850 pounds OF meteoric matter
are added TO the weigh OF the earth every
hour. Yet this h "A very show process of
growth, for at the present rate 0t accretion
millions upon millions Of years would be
required 10 build up a respectable noun
IAN range from the meteOie matter
ADDED " the globe. II all the star dust
mat ialls upon the earth IN the course Of
twenty months could be carefully swept
together and heaped upon the Brookiin
brage, II would just about suffice 70