The herald., 1895-08-08

book The Annular Theory, submits an
| attractive theory in regard TO the rings
| of the planet.
In the nebular hypothesis of which the
above is a brief synopsis. two assump-
tiuns dominate: ~ That the matter of
the central portion OF the nebulous
| sphere when formed constituted the sun
, as we now know it. except tnat it was
more expanded by heat. This central
| matter was. therefore, matter, much the
| same as can be funnd now on the
! earth-gaseous and maybe some liquid
matter. This sun-nucleus of gaseous mat
ter was enveloped in an immense spheri-
| cal shell of nebulous matter or fire mist.
As there evidently could have been no
sharp line OF demarcation between the
sun-nucleus aud the outlying nebular
matter. then the gaseous molecular mat
ter must have gradually merged into the
fire-mist. (2). That the fire mist was as
its name implies, excessively hot.
A study OF the first of theapove assump-
tions leads to the conclusion that the cen-
trail or sun nucleus portion of the great
nebulous sphere must itself once nave
been nobulous matter. We must. there
fore, make the further conclusion that
the nebular mist is form of matter ana
that it can pass into ordinary matter by
cooling and condensation. just as gaseous
matter changes into liquid and then into
solid matter. But this last conclusion.
which is undoubtedly correct, seems to
negative the premise from which 1T was
drawn. 1t is difficult to imagine o mass
of vapor, no matter whether attenuated or
condensed, cooling and condensing at its
center before it does on the outside. In
fact, under the conditions in which worlds
are formed, it is doubtful whether it
would ever condense at the center-a con-
clusion in conformity with the deductions
drawn in my last paper, The Condition of
the Interior of She Earth. Again, the
highest form of gaseous molecular matter
is very, very much heavier than the neb-
ulous mist could have peen. Besides. the
centrifugal action Jf the revolving sphere
of mist would have thrown the compara-
lively heavy gaseous matter to the circum-
ference, if such matter could have been
formed at the center of the nebulous
sphere. We must therefore conclude that
the sun nucleus was originally the atten-
uated fire or nebular mist, and that its ce-
lestial body was the last of the system to
acquire the process of condensation.
study of the second of the fore going
assumptions that the nebular mist was
extremely hot. is mainly of a chemical
origin and was in this respect derived
from the ideas associated with its fore
runner the fire mist. 1t is only of late
that any correct ideas of ultra-gaseous
matter have been entertained. That the
heat of condensation c0ula supply the
necessary heat no doubt. seemed impos-
sible to Laplace; therefore its original
condition had to be very hot. 1t is unan-
imously conceded that interplanetary
spaces are not vacuous. 1t is improbable
IT, at all the fire or nebular mist pertain
ing to each planet was condensed. Such
uncoudensed portions OF mist would then
be found on the outside OF each planets
atmosphere. But in the case of the EARTH
moon, Mars. Venus, the evidences are
against such envelopes of hot gases, or
ultra gases. In the newer meteor,c by
pothesis, the meteoric matter at one time
is certainly intensely cold, as is all matter
of lnterplanetary space. 1t acquires
heat by the violent friction and collisions
of the meteorites against each other.
So far as know, no one has attempted
to explain the origin OF the nebular or
ulation of it as Laplace imagined for the
formation of our solar system, could take
place. If the nsbular mist is a form of
matter as above dsduced, the question
naturally ariees, can We deduce any of its
properties? Since it IS form of matter
where is it to be found? If it is possible
to do this. can we then account for its |
accumulation and conden satlon in certain |
portions OF space. so as to form solar |
or stellar system? Also can it account |
for other unexplained astronomical |
problems!
If the matter of worlds is derived from
the nebular mist, then IN turn we can |
derive the mist from ordinary matter by
changing the conditions under which Or
uinary matter was fo,m med. The latter
would be readily admitted if it were not
for the scientific dogma, on which the
kfnetic theory of gases mainly rests |
that a gas can expand indefinitely. For.
as everyone knows, by a sufficient ap-
nIIpatInu Of boaf all subSfanCns ha |
made to pass into the gaseous condition.
But here the kinetic theory comes into
play anu asserts that any further applica.
tion of heat to a gas will simply separate
its molecules more and more, until as a
limit but one molecule is found in the al
most infinite space represented in cubic
miles by ten raised to the 3l3th power.
But the physicist, equally with the
chemist. admits that the molecue is a
of atoms and that under GER
tain conditions molecules can be broken
up, except when the trenches upon the
kinetric theory, when he regards the
atoms and molecules as beingsynonymous,
as can be shown by numerous quotations.
He is forced to admit that during q very
brief instant in chemical com binations,
atoms exist as Independent entities. The
experiments of the late Prof. Lothair
Meyer in regard to monatomic molecules,
rightly interpreted, also indicates that
molecules can be separated into indie
pendent atoms. Many facts could be
quoted, but which the space OF this paper
will not permit. to show that there is a
semi-reco4 4nized atomic condition of met,
ter lying above the gaseous. This atomic
condition of matter has not been officially
recognized because the current concep-
tions of the gaseous, liquid and solid con-
ditions of matter areiob.cure, particularly
as to the last two. The explanation OF
the conditions of matter falls within the
province of the physicist who as such
recognizes but one unit of matter-the
molecule. Here also, large mass of
facts can be quoted and nun per of ex-
perments indicated, which places the