FORMATION OF A NEW WORLD.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 130, 1 June 1880, Page 4

FORMATION OF A NEW WORLD.

To a prominent citizen of San Francisco the *• Alta California ' is indebted for-the following account of a strange astronomical disturbance. The phenomenon wrs first observed from the ■Allaehany Observatory, by Professor LsneeUy during the fourth week of last June. While taking an observation of Jupiter it was noticed that Borce terrific local action had taken place lin a spot beneath the red belt of the monstrous planet, end that the vaporous envelope bad been ruptured. Thus one of the largest of Jupiter's belts was torn from its direct influence, and was at liberty to tumble through space in any way that might suit the eccentric fancy of such a heavenly trifle. Professor Very'reports that he caw the actual surface of Jupiter the rent in the belt, a eight 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 good Equare loriafideloob at Jupiter's surface. A brief explanation is-tberefore in order. The planet in question is the biggest in our planetary system, 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 aun. Like all regulated tourists, it is not in much of a hurry, and completes its year in 4332 daye. The country is not likely to encourage immigration for annivsrsary celebration, yet it is not without its good features. Its volume ia 1,235 times as great as that of our earth, but is composed of lighter material, the density being 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 cyclopsel:se. The first appearance of Jupiter's diso has resulted in the scientific conclusion that he is enveloped in a deep, vaporous atmosphere, exorbitantly charged with masses of clouds, more or, Jess, material in composition. This atmosphere is divided in broad bands or belts, alternately light and dark, systematically laid across the disc, and generally 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 some violent agitation by powerful forces, causing transformations which have not yet been explicitly accounted for. It is one one of these large belts which has been playing pranks with the constitution of

the universe, and promises to mßke a heap of trouble in the family, unless astronomy provides a speedy remedy. As already stated, on the 26th of last June, while Professors Langley ;and Very had their eyes screwed to-im-proved pet'erns of the long-range telescope, they say that the equatorial [belt of Jupitor hod parted, and was tearing itself away from old associates, every prospect of getting along in j the world. Its color was beautifully v^vid, glowiDg like a coke fire in December, or a cardinal's red stocking at a Sunday pictsic. The resemblance was sufficient to demand the religiously devoted attention of both gentlemen, and they since have taken eight accurate drawings of the phenomenon, which show that the cloud-fissure is gradually widening, caused by the regressive notion of the belt from tha planet, the ends gradually uncurling, and j the wbola 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 satalites for which no entirely satisfactory account has been given, lowing 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 not immediately available for either a penal or Chinese colony. The scientific tonclusion is that, as soon as freed from the planet, -this wayward belt will begin, on the the nebu'ae hypothesis to roll up like a scroll, and gradually contract its coils; that they will noeef, coaleEce, gain solidity, and become a compact :body ready to throw its weight against that of the future astronomical knowledge. Meanwhile the bright central apace is crossed by dark, irregular bridges, slanting ' from southwest to northwest, the invariable direction of all oblique formations observed on Jupiter. The whiter portions of the globe are displaying a wonderfully reflective power. The dark bands appear to form an independent encircling envelope \ and become less distinct toward the lights, but obey the law of celestial mechanic?. This divine obedience is highly co'mpli mentary to Jupiter, and cannot fail to elicit universal admiration. Purple, brown, greenish yellow, orange, and rosy tints are to ba 6een delietaely 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 mixed up with the equatorial, zone are attracting the close attention of astronomers, who are historically; fond of the rosy. All these matters, , duly considered in their y»st importance to

generations yet uDsnspected, cannot fail to impress the matter-of-fact American of to-day with a gloomy thought of trouble ahead for bis benighted country. aaßaasassaiSs«»^^'' a °'*' ar>i *''* aMaw *'' M!gi ' a