The Portland daily press., 1894-11-13


probable answer to this most fascinating
question.
Only as far back as the 18th century
astronomers placed the number of stars
in the universe as little over 1000; but
this was absurd. as the real number vlsl-
BILE to the naked eye is about 1000; and
perhaps treble that number can be
seen by persons with exceptionally good
eyesight. When the heavens, however,
are examined through a telescope the
mum Der of visible stars are enormously
increased; in fact, it has been calculated
that the great Lick telescope, the most
pow erful yet made, reveals as many as
100000, 900! Yet what issthat vast num-
Der com pared with infnity? 1t cannot
even be likene1 to grain of sand on
the seashore.
And yet, if we think the matter out
carefully, we shall see that the mum Der
of visible stars cannot really be infinite,
for if they were, the heavens would be
complete blaze of tight. This, Of
course, we know, is far from being the
case; and, indeed, there cannot be any
doubt that, in certain parts of the
heavens at least the number of visible
stars is already known, for even with the
very strongest telescopes there are p.ank
spaces, which are absolutely devoid OF
stars below certain magnitude, or even
the verlest trace of nebulous light.
These spaces are known to astronomers
by the name of "coal sacks, +" they con-
tain no stars fainter than the 18th mag
nitude, and, in fact, appear to marx
those parts of the universe which are
comparatively thin. on the other hand,
in other parts of the heavens we have
notify any means reached the limit OF
telescope resolvability. 1t is curious.
though, that these intensely dark holes"
in the bright empyrean are mostly to be
found in those parts OF the heavens
where most stars abound, notably in the
Milky Way.
These remarkable blank spots have
been favorite theme of discussion and
argument amongst all astronomers, for
whatever the real shape or distribution
of that universe may be, they point to
the almost certai n inference that in par
ticular direction at leasa there is all ac-
tual limit to the number of stars; and
it there is limit in one direction we
have every right to suppose that such is
the case in others, and that we have only
lSiSoNOPSS
resolve those parts which are still I'M
receivable, to discover that point can
be reached where all the stars of the uni
verse are unfolded to our gaze, and that.
no matter how keen the power of our
mechanical vision, we can find no more
If, now, we admit that the number of
visible stars is limited, the next ques-
ton to be asked is, what is the order or
shape of their. distribution? Various
astronomers have had various theories
about this matter. Herschel was inclined
to think that the visible universe was
in the shape Of disc, though his views
in this direction were considerably modi-
fed during the latter part of his life
Strive considered that the universe was
in the shape of a disc of limited thick
ness, but infinit. length-a theory which
is hard to support, as, unless the ulti-
mate extension of light in space is eb-
lieved in, that part of the heavens which
lay toward the plane OF the disc would
necessarily shine with the brightness of
the sun. The late Mr. Proctor, though
finding it impossi BILE to define any par
ticular shape for the universe as whole,
was of the opinion that the bright est
part of it-namely, the Milky Way-was
in the form of a spiral. This latter
theory also, however, has many object
tions to contend with. Other astronomers
have had different theories on the ques-
ton; but all, or nearly all, appear to
admit an ultimate limit to the size of
the visible universe; or, in other words,
believe that the galaxy of worlds which
surround us form in fact, but an islet in
the vast infinity of space. 1t would APP
era at first sight that any attempt to
solve the question of the existence OF
external galaxies and their distance was
absolutely futile, yet such is not the case.
Some astronomers maintain that certain
of the nebulae-such as the Magellan
cloud, for insJance-are really external
galaxies. We have no mathematical evil
dence, however, to arrive at the distance
of these visible objects, and in all proba-
bility they belong to our own galaxy,
and are no farther distant than the faint
stars Profs. Lumbert, Herschel, Gore,
Proctor and others have formulated an
ingenious hypothesis as to the distance
of external galaxies. By theoretical
system of proportion based on thorough
foundation of known facts, they assume
that the diameter of the solar system is
to the distance between solar systems as
the diameter of the sideral universe is to
the distance between un'verses. The
result of this calculation is, that the
nearest external universe is so far dis
tant that the light from it, travelling at
the speed of 200 miles second, would
take nearly 50, 600, 900 years to reach us.
The human mind is incapable of grasp
ing such an awful distances; but mauhe-
NAUTICAL calculations show us that, even
supposing that the external universe
was the same size as ours, it would only
appear to us as a.tiny speck of nebu1ous
light. 1t is doubtful, however, whether
even light could reach us from such
distance. the luminiferous ether may be
absent from inter-universal space OF
light may be unable to pierce through
strata of such depth, no matter how thin
and free from matter it may be. IT,
then,..we accept this theory of distri button
of suniverses we must see that there is
no end to the system, for, by again
working out the proportionate calcula-
ton with the diameter of the sidereal
system as he basis, we shall only be GO
ing one step higher up the endless sys-
TEN of distribution throughout space.
But here our theories and calculations
must stop, for we are attempting to think
out question which is beyond the
power of mans mind to truly grasp; we
are IN the Threshold of tho A 1miphtv