The Earth's Beginning

The Earth's Beginning

The Earths BeginningThe Nebular TheoryMany Applications of the TheoryThe Founders of the DoctrineKant, Laplace, William Herschel: Their Different Methods of WorkThe Vastness of the ProblemVoltaires FableThe Oak-TreeThe Method of Studying the SubjectInadequacy of our Time Conceptions. ITRY in these lectures to give some account of an exceptionally great subjecta subject, I ought rather to say, of sublime magnificence. It may, I believe, be affirmed without exaggeration that the theme which is to occupy our attention represents the most daring height to which the human intellect has ever ventured to soar in its efforts to understand the great operations of Nature. The earths beginning relates to phenomena of such magnitude and importance that the temporary concerns which usually engage our thoughts must be forgotten in its presence. Our personal affairs, the affairs of the nation, and of the empireindeed, of all nations and of all empiresnay, even all human affairs, past, present, and to come, shrink into utter insignificance when we are 2to consider the majestic subject of the evolution of that solar system of which our earth forms a part. We shall obtain a glimpse of what that evolution has been in the mighty chapter of the book of Nature on which we are now to enter. The nebular theory discloses the beginning of this earth itself. It points out the marvellous process by which from original chaos the firm globe on which we stand was gradually evolved. It shows how the foundations of this solid earth have been laid, and how it is that we have land to tread on and air to breathe. But the subject has a scope far wider than merely in its relation to our earth. The nebular theory accounts for the beginning of that great and glorious orb the sun, which presides over the system of revolving planets, guides them in their paths, illuminates them with its light, and stimulates the activities of their inhabitants with its genial warmth. The nebular theory explains how it comes about that the sun still continues in these latter days to shine with the brilliance and warmth that it had throughout the past ages of human history and the vastly greater periods of geological time. Then, as another supreme achievement, it discloses the origin of the planets which accompany the sun, and shows how they have come to run their mighty courses; and it tells us how revolving satellites have been associated with the planets. The nebular theory has, indeed, a remarkable relation to all objects belonging to that wonderful scheme which we call the solar system. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 59080
Author: Ball, Robert S. (Robert Stawell)
Release Date: Mar 17, 2019
Format: eBook
Language: English