WONDERS OF THE HEAVENS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 11 August 1908, Page 8

WONDERS OF THE HEAVENS.

One of the most striking spectacles revealed by telescopes is that of the great nebula in Orion. In the \sojnplexity of its glowing streams, spirals, and strangely shaped masses, intercepted by yawning black gaps and sprinkled over with stars arranged in suggestive groups and lines, it has few rivals in the heavens; The impression of astonishment made by the sight of this nebula is heightened by knowledge of its enormous size. The entire solar system would appear as a tiny speck beside it. • Yet this tremendous aggregation of nebulous clouds and stairy" swarms has been proved by *he reseafcKe* of the astronomers of the Lick Observatory to he ilyina; away from tlio parth and the sun 'at the rate of seven miles hi r vorv soonnd. But so vast is its dis-i taiK-o that on* hundred years reveal no vis'Kil efforts of the pv^t nebula's swift retreat. ,If it ;-r hy it , would fcoem to become ra; "V" smaller.