FORMATION OF A NEW WORLD.

Kumara Times, Issue 1134, 24 May 1880, Page 4

FORMATION OF A NEW WORLD.

To a prominent scientist of San Fran Cisco the Alto California ia indebted for the following account of a strange astronomical disturbance. The phenomena was first observed from the Alleghany Obpervatory, by Professor Langelly and F. W. Very, during the fourth week of last June. While taking an observation of Jupiter it was noticed that Borne terrific local action had taken place in a spot beneath the red belt of the monstrous planet, and that the vaporous envelope had been ruptured. Thus one of the largest of Jupiter's belts was torn from its direct influence, and was at liberty to thunder through space in any way that might suit the eccentric fancy of such a heavenly trifle. Professor Very reports tha? he saw the actual surface of Jupiter through the rent in the belt, a sight that is pronounced wonderfully rare. To this the non-scientific may attach no importance, the aforesaid non-scientist not clearly understanding the difficulty of getting a gjod, square, bona fide look at Jupiter's surface. A brief explanation of Jupiters precise position in 'the matter is therefore in order. The planet in question is the biggest in our planetary Bystem, and is fifth in order of distance from the sun, barring the primary members of the system, which are scientifically counted out. It is considerable of a traveller, and independent of fractions, maintains a mean distance of something like a trifle of 475,692,000 miles from the sun. Like all regulated tourists it is not in much of a hurry, and completes its year in 4332 days. The country is not likely to encourage immigration for anniversary celebration, yet it is not without its good features. Its volume is 1,235 times as great as that of our earth, hut is composed of lighter material, the density being only one quarter that of this globe, and its actual mass only exceeding ours by 301 times. There is much other interesting information, about Jupiter's equator and polar axis, which is succinctly stated in all modern cyclopedise. The firat appearance of Jupiter's disc has resulted in the scientific conclusion that he is enveloped in a deep, vaporous atmosphere, exorbitantly charged with masses of cloudc, more or less material in composition. Tnls atmosphere is divided in brord bands, or belts alternately light and dark, systematically laid across the diBO, and genetally agreeing with the latitude parallels of the planet. These belts are subject to magnificent changes of color, the clouds which go to make up the various belts appearing to be decreed to Borne violent agitation by powerful foroes, causing transformations which have not yet been explicitly accounted for. It iB one of these large belts which has been playing pranks with the constitution of the universe, and promises to make a heap of trouble in the family, unless astronomy provides a speedy remedy As .already stated,'on the 26th of last June, while Profossors Langley and Very had their eyes screwed to improved patterns of the long-range telescope, they say that the equatorial belt of Jupiter had parted and was tearing itself away from old associates, with every prospect of getting along in the world. Its color was beautifully vivid, glowing like a coke fire in December, or a cardinal red stocking at a Sunday picnic. The resemblance was sufhcient to demand the religiously devoted attention of both the gentlemen, and they since have taken eight accurate drawings of the phenomena, which Bhow that the cloud-fissure is gradually widening, caused by the regressive action of the bell from the planet the ends gradually uncurling, and the whole thing showing a strong desire, so Boon as sufficiently unfolded, to shoot away by itself and become a comparatively independent institution. Jupiter now possesses several satellites for which no entirely satisfactory account has been given, owing to the fact that they existed before astronomy was made a direct science, and no authentic information has been received from the select circle of friends present at the birth. The present offspring, however, is carefully shadowed and is anxiously watched with the idea that it will become a new world, though notimmediately available foreither apenal or a Chinese colony. Tne scientific conclusion is that, as soon as freed from the planet, this wayward belt will begin, on the nebulse hypothesis to roll up like a scroll, and gradually contract its coilsthat they will meet, coalesce, solidity, and become a compact body, ready to throw itß weight against that of the future astronomical knowledge. Meanwhile, the bright central space is crossed by dark, irregular bridges, Blanting from Bouthwest to northwest, the invariable direction of all oblique formations observed on Jupiter. The whiter portions of the globe are displaying a wonderful reflective power. The dark bands appear tojform an independent encircling envelope and become less distincttoward the lights but. obey the law of celestial mechanics! lhis divine obedience is highly complimentary to Jupiter, and cannot fall to elicit universal admiration, Purple brown, greenish, yellow, orange, and rosy tints are to be seen delicalely marked upon the planet's surface presenting an effect as picturesque as the observatory of a Chinese laundry on wash-day. The rosy tints which have got £ f d « UP *r h , the e 9 uat °™l zone are attracting the close attention of astronomers, who are historically fond of the rosy. _ All these matters duly considered In their vfist importance to generations yet unsuspected, cannot fail to impress the matter-of-fact American of to-day with a gloomy thought of trouble ahead tor his benighted country.