THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3310, 10 November 1883, Page 2

THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE.

[communicated.] The atmosphere of the earth appears from the estimate of astronomers, to extend from the earth’s surface, upwards into space, about 150 miles. Analysis shows that it is composed of 79;per cent of azote and 21 of oxygen gas. This combination of gases is the great source of combustion and animal heat. There are also 3 or 4 parts of carbonic acid gas in every 1000 parts of atmosphere. The air or atmosphere, is an elastic fluid, resisting pressure in”every direction, and subject to the law of gravitation. Experience shows that the heat of the air diminishes, as the light above the surface of the earth is increased, and it appears from recent investigation that tho mean temperature of space, as far as is yet known to us, is 58° below freezing point. This, of course, would bo the temperature of the surface of tho earth also, were it not for the radiation of light from tho sun. Philosophers of the highest authority concur in the supposition that the celestial regions are filled with an extremely rare and impoundablo and highly elastic medium or transparent ether, whose particles are capable of receiving the vibrations of light communicated by self-luminous bodies such as our sun, and of transmitting them to the optic nerve, so as to produce the sensation of light. This vibration comes from the sun in waves and increases in strength as it progresses towards the earth. The atmosphere acting as a reflector to this radiation of light from the sun, magnifies it to a great degree when it reaches the earth’s surface, and mixing with the gas of the atmosphere, creates the heat we have. The atmosphere, then, is of vital importance to us; in it wo live and move, and have our being. It is the source of all the heat and a great part of the light we enjoy. It creates and bustains all the animal and vegetable life we see on the earth; without it, the earth would be a dead world such as wo see the moon to be.