The temperature rises still further, and
we have the blue-hot star, in which the elements seem to be
dissociated, and slowly re-forming as the temperature falls.
After, perhaps, hundreds of millions of years it reaches the
"yellow" stage, and, if it has planets with the conditions of
life, there may be a temporary opportunity for living things to
enjoy its tempered energy. But the cooler vapours are gathering
round it, and at length its luminous body is wholly imprisoned.
It continues its terrific course through space, until some day,
perhaps, it again encounters the mighty cataclysm which will make
it begin afresh the long and stormy chapters of its living
history.
Such is the suggestion of the modern astronomer, and, although we
seem to find every phase of the theory embodied in the varied
contents of the heavens, we must not forget that it is only a
suggestion. The spectroscope and telescopic photography, which
are far more important than the visual telescope, are
comparatively recent, and the field to be explored is enormous.
The mist is lifting from the cosmic landscape, but there is still
enough to blur our vision. Very puzzling questions remain
unanswered.
Pages:
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83