The story of the universe. Volume 1 (of 4) : $b The starry skies
History
The story of the universe. Volume 1 (of 4) : $b The starry skies
Astronomy; Earth (Planet); Natural history
largest satellite, that its density gains markedly with descent into
the interior, so that its surface-materials must be lighter than any
known solid or liquid.
When at its nearest to the earth, Saturn is as large as a sixpence
held up at a distance of 210 yards. But instead of being round like
a sixpence, it is strongly compressed—more compressed even than
Jupiter. The spectra of the two planets are almost identical. Both
are impressed with traces of aqueous absorption, and include the “red
star line.”
Saturn resembles to the eye a large, dull star; its rays are entirely
devoid of the sparkling quality which distinguishes those of Jupiter.
But it shows telescopically an analogous surface-structure. Its most
conspicuous markings are tropical dark belts of a grayish or greenish
hue; the equatorial region is light yellow, diversified by vague
white spots; while the poles carry extensive pale blue canopies. The
apparent tranquillity of the disk may be attributed in part to the
vast distance from which it is viewed; yet not wholly.
From measures executed by Barnard in 1895, it appears that the
equatorial diameter of Saturn is 76,470, its polar diameter 69,770
miles, giving a mean diameter of 74,240, and a compression of about
1/12th. Gravity, at its surface, is only 1/5th more powerful than on
the earth.
Thus, Saturn not only belongs to the same celestial species as
Jupiter, but is a closely related individual of that species. There
is no probability that either is to any extent solid. Both exhibit
the same type of markings; both betray internal tumults by eruptions
of spots which, by their varying movements, supply a measure for the
profundity of their origin; both possess identically constituted
atmospheres, and are darkened marginally by atmospheric absorption.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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