The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-29

ment in this respect lies beyond the linn
its of possibility all the matter of the
sun. the planets, satellites and all the
other cosmical bodies subject to the at
traction Of the sun, We're ditfused as
gas through the space bounded by the
orbit of the most distant of these bodies.
Under the influence Of the gravitation
of this immense mass of gaseous matter,
it assumed a globular form with a ro-
tating motion around some axis.
In consequence of the gradual shrinking
of this rotating mass, the velocity OF ro-
tation was increased until at last q ring
would be thrown off, or. to state it more
accurately, would be left behind, which
again by its inherent rotary motion would
assume q globular shape. This, according
to his theory, is the common origin of the
planets, which, on their part, leaving
rings behind, produce the satellites. This
in its most general outlines is the highly
ingenious and plausible theory Of La
place The fact that all the planets and
satellites, with the exception of Uranus
and Neptune, move in the same direction,
and that the Saturnian system still con-
tains such rings, gives an almost irresisti-
BILE confirmation of the truth Of Laplaces
nebular hypothesis.
IN FULL VIEW.
Between S anp 8 O'Clock of the January
evenings we see right above us some of
the finest consultations in the heavens.
The constellation Taurus, or the Bull, is
distinguished by its beautiful groups of
the Hyades and Pleiades. The former
consists Of five stars in the shape of the
letter V. one of which is the bright red,
first magnitude star Aldebaran. The
Pleiades is a group in which the stars
are all closely packed together. Most per-
sons cannot distinguish more than six
stars with the naked eye, While a keen
eye will see more. The brightest of them
is called Alcyone. famous for its having
once been considered the Central Sum
ar ound which our sun is hurled with all
his retinue of planets and satellites, a
fine idea, which, however, has been eN-
pIoded. Southeast of Taurus the most
splendid of all the consultations in the
heavens will arrest the attention of even
those who take but little interest in the
starry heavens. This constellation is
Orion, commemorating the mighty hun
ter, the sun of Neptune. 1t principally
consists of the two first magnitude stars,
BetelgeuZe and Rigel. the former of n
reddish tinge, the latter almost entirely
white. Between them is the Belt Of
Orion, consisting OF three stars the two
outer ones being almost exactly three de-
grees distant from each other. From the
belt hangs the sword. composed of three
Snlalier StdIS. NortheaSta OF iauFuSS tIo
beautiful constellation Auriga cannot fail
to engage the beilolder's attention. The
most prominent stan in this constellation
is Capella of the first magnitude, too con-
spicuous an object to escape observation
Extending the belt of Orion in a south
eastern direction it will pass through the
brightest fixed star in the skies, Sirius,
whicl, in lustre rivals the brighter plan
cts. AT a somewhat later hour in the eve
ming another beautiful first ma snltuda
star will be seen above the eastern horl-
zon. This is Procyon. in the Lesser.Dcg.
which with RetelsueZe and Sirius forms
an almost perfect eauilaterai triangle.
Directly south of Orion we see culte, q
consnicuous constellation. Lepus, or the
Hare. forming quadrilateral.