_Arguments in support of Symmes's Theory, drawn from celestial
appearances._
That a disposition to hollow cylinders does exist in nature, I
think, must be admitted; and that a similar principle exists in the
planetary system, at least in some degree, appears to me as certain.
Every person has seen or heard of Saturn and his rings. At certain
periods of time the appearance of this planet, viewed through a good
telescope, represents him to be surrounded with two luminous rings or
bodies of matter, concentric with each other, and with the body of the
planet. These rings no where adhere to the body of the planet, but are
distinct and separate, some considerable distance from him, and from
each other, leaving a portion of vacant space between the planet and
the rings, through which we see the fixed stars beyond.[4] It is a
fact, I believe, admitted by all, and of which we have positive ocular
demonstration, that these rings are constituted of some kind of matter,
if not solid, at least to all appearance as much so as the body of the
planet. Their thickness must be very inconsiderable, for when the edge
is turned to the eye it is no longer visible, except to the powerful
reflecting telescope of Dr. Herschel.――Thus the rings undergo phases
according to the position of the planet in his orbit, which prove them
to be opaque, like other bodies in the planetary system, and like them
shining by reflection. I am not informed what is the precise velocity
of the rotary motion of the rings; probably their varying aspect, or
some other cause has prevented a correct observation from being made.
However, the planet itself revolves on its axis, with an astonishing
velocity; and no doubt the rings also, though perhaps with different
degrees of velocity.
The appearance of Saturn, I conceive, establishes the fact, that
the principle of concentric spheres, or hollow planets, does exist,
at least in one instance, in the solar system. And if the fact be
established that it exists in one case, is it not fair, nay, is it
not almost a certain and necessary consequence, that the same laws of
matter which formed one planet into concentric spheres, must form all
the others on a plan more or less the same? If we draw any conclusion,
or form any opinion at all, respecting the formation of the planets,
whose inner parts we cannot see; or if we form any opinion in relation
to our own planet in particular, whose poles have never been explored,
would not reasoning from analogy bring us to the conclusion, that all
bodies of matter are formed similar to that of Saturn, unless we have
positive proof to the contrary? But it is not in Saturn alone that we
find proof of the principles contended for by Captain Symmes. Most, if
not all of the other planets, belonging to our system, whose relative
situation afford us an opportunity of observation, appear to exhibit
strong proofs that the same principles prevail throughout.
The planet Mars, exhibits concentric circles round one or the other
of his poles, according as either is more or less in opposition to
us. These circles appear alternately light and dark, exactly as they
should, supposing the planet to be constituted of concentric spheres,
(such as Symmes believes of the earth) the light being reflected from
their verges on which it falls; and in which case the vacant space
between the spheres would necessarily appear dark.
Sometimes he appears to us with a single ring at each pole. At such
times his axis is at right angles, or nearly so, with a line drawn
from the earth to his centre. This, I conceive, can be accounted for
by the great refraction, occasioned by the increased density of his
atmosphere around the poles, which appears to throw out the further
sides of the verges so as to make them appear like rings, in the
form they present themselves to our view. That such is the natural
appearance may be evidenced by taking a small wooden sphere with open
poles, and immerse it in a circular glass vessel filled with water;
when viewed horizontally through the side of the glass, with the plane
of the openings at a right angle with the visual ray, the refraction
occasioned by the water, answering to the dense atmosphere of Mars,
will apparently throw out the polar openings, and present you with a
view, similar to the appearance of Mars, when his axis is at right
angles to us.
Our next neighbour, Venus, between us and the sun, (though her being
between us and the sun prevents us from having so favourable an
opportunity of examining her poles, as those of Mars, who is our next
neighbour on the side opposite the sun) presents appearances at
certain times, which seem to lead to the conclusion, that she also is
constituted of concentric spheres. At times, when this planet is nearly
a crescent, we are able to discover a deficient space near the tip
of one of her horns. Admitting Venus to be constituted of concentric
spheres with open poles; and supposing one of the vacant spaces,
between two of her spheres about the polar openings, to traverse her
horn or cusp, at the place where the dark space occurs,――it would
present to us exactly such an appearance as does actually occur.
At other times, one of the horns or cusps of Venus is seen to wind
inward as it were into the body of the planets, extending about fifteen
degrees further than the other horn. This is an appearance which would
also be presented, if Venus is formed according to Symmes's theory.
And again, supposing one of her horns to terminate around the verge of
a polar opening, in such way as to follow the curve of the verge for
some distance, (which is of course more curved than the periphery of
the planet) and the same appearances, I think, would occur. The axis of
the planet not being at right angles with the polar openings, in its
revolutions one side of the verge would be thrown much nearer to us
than the other; and the different spheres revolving on their axes with
different velocities would at different times exhibit to our view the
verge of a different sphere.[5]
The axis of the planet Jupiter is always at right angles with a line
drawn to the earth, consequently his poles are never presented to us;
but his belts, which we can and do see, seem to speak loudly in favour
of a plurality of spheres. The most common appearance of Jupiter is,
that he is surrounded by four belts; two bright and two dark, alternate
to each other. But they are variable, presenting different appearances;
at some times seven or eight belts are discoverable, at other times
they appear interrupted in their length, and to increase and diminish
alternately, running into each other, and again to separate into a
number of belts of a smaller size. If Jupiter be a solid globe, I
would enquire, how is it possible to account for those various changes
in his belts, or even for their existence at all? Astronomers, I
understand, have heretofore considered the phenomena of Jupiter's belts
as altogether unaccountable. If he be a simple plain globe, those belts
could not exist; or if they did, they must forever remain uniform,
and not change their size and shape, or relative positions in respect
to each other; neither could the spots on one belt rotate faster than
those on another. But if we adopt the doctrine of concentric spheres,
and that this planet is composed of a number of them, we can account
at once for all the various appearances in a rational manner. The
belts would be produced by the shadow cast on the space between the
polar opening of one sphere and the adjoining one; that is, a portion
of the sunshine, would be reflected from the verges of the spheres
on which it fell; and another portion would appear to be swallowed
by the intervening space. And if refraction bends the rays of vision
between and under his spheres, as it bends a portion of the rays of the
sun, so as to produce the apparent belts of comparative shade, then a
very complete solution of those appearances, heretofore considered
wonderful, would be afforded. The variation which has been observed in
their number, shape, and dimensions, can in no way be better accounted
for, than by concluding the planet to be constituted of a number of
concentric spheres, of different breadths, revolving on different
axes, and with different velocities, so as sometimes to present to our
view the verge of one sphere, and sometimes that of another: and the
rays of the sun falling on the parts of the verges presented to us,
would occasion the diversified appearances which we discover. If some
sections of both crusts of the spheres be formed of water alone, and
become occasionally transparent, it will afford an additional reason
for the varying phenomena attendant on these appearances, which may
also be increased by alternate regions of water, ice, dry land, and
snow.
Modern astronomers have long noticed the spots frequently visible on
the sun. They are described as having the appearance of vast holes,
or fractures, in his outer surface or crust, through which an inner
appears to be seen. This, also, seems to favour the doctrine of
different spheres. Notwithstanding the sun revolves very slowly on his
axis, it is probable that his poles are open to a greater or less
extent; but we can never see into them, owing perhaps to the earth,
never being very far from the plane of the sun's equator, his being
such a vast deal larger than the earth, and the atmosphere surrounding
him so extremely luminous.
Very little doubt exists in my mind, that the poles of the sun and
of Jupiter would appear somewhat like those of Mars or the rings of
Saturn, were it not that the two former never present their axes, in
any perceptible degree, towards us; neither does our satellite, the
moon, ever present either of her poles to us: hence, though this may
be in some degree open, (notwithstanding her slow rotation) owing to
her axis always being nearly at right angles with a line drawn to the
earth, we are not able to see whether they are open or not,――more
especially as her atmosphere is so light and rare as not to produce
much refraction. The vast round deep caverns observable on the surface
of the moon, appear as if they might once have been polar openings; if
so, she must frequently have changed her axis.
The spots of light which have at different periods been discovered by
astronomers, on the surface of the moon, near her poles, when she was
on the face of the sun, in an eclipse of that luminary, are perhaps
best accounted for by supposing the sun to shine in, either at one
of her polar openings or through a cavity on her further side, and
appearing to us through one of her annular cavities, on this side, and
near her poles: Or the sun being much larger than the moon, and the
axis of the moon a little varied from right angles with the earth, (or
perhaps the low side of the sphere being next to the earth,) the sun
would shine through an annular cavity or open pole, so as to appear to
us as a spot of light on the moon's disk.
The foregoing enumerated astronomical phenomena are some of the facts
tending to confirm and elucidate Symmes's theory. They all have been
long known to exist; yet I have never heard them accounted for to
the satisfaction of my mind. Indeed, I believe some of them never
was attempted to be accounted for in any manner whatever. I would,
therefore, request the reader, who may deign to give the subject
a serious thought, to reflect, that if all the celestial orbs are
entire round globes, as the old theory considers them to be, on
what principles, or in what manner, could they present the various
appearances which I have enumerated? Why should the horns of Venus
assume different shapes? What would make the appearance of belts on
Jupiter? Or rings and concentric circles at the poles of Mars? And,
finally, in what position could a round solid globe be placed, to
exhibit the rings of Saturn, revolving with different velocities, as
it respects each other, and spaces appearing between them and the body
of the planet, through which stars, millions of miles beyond, can be
distinctly seen? These are phenomena I should like to hear explained.
On the principle of concentric spheres, they can all be accounted
for in a most satisfactory manner. They appear perfectly plain and
intelligible. What was thought to be involved in inexplicable mystery,
and mid-night darkness now perfectly accords with the established laws
of nature, and can be understood by the most ordinary capacity.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] Physical World, p. 42.――Adam's Philosophy, vol. 4, p. 206;
Philadelphia, 1807.
[5] "Dr. Herschel has observed a faint illumination in the unlighted
part of the planet Venus, which he ascribes to some phosphoric quality
of its atmosphere." Editor's note to Adams' Philosophy, vol. 4, p. 204,
Philadelphia, 1807.
_Quere_――Might not such an appearance be accounted for as rationally,
by supposing the rays of the sun to shine or be reflected, through
one of her polar openings, and fall on the verge of the sphere at the
opposite polar opening?