Address. by Dr. C. C. Farr

The public meeting of the Science Congress on Saturday, January 30th at 8 p.m. was addressed by Dr. C. Coleridge Farr on “The Story of the Universe.” Dr. P. Marshall presided, and, in introducing the lecturer, invited him to clear away from the minds of the audience all remaining doubts on the subject. The lecturer, to begin with, referred to the suns, stars, and planets to be seen in the heavens, and proceeded to discuss different types of nebulae with the aid of some beautifully clear lantern slides. Double stars and star clusters were illustrated and described. It had been estimated that of the stars we saw a third or more were double stars and there were many triple and multiple stars. Probably next in order came the spiral nebulae, none of which could be seen by the naked eye, but of which the most powerful telescope could distinguish half a million. La Place's nebular hypothesis was outlined and criticised. Its central truth lay in the emphasis it placed on the nebulae. It was now concluded that the primitive form of the universe was a gaseous nebula. The history of the development of a nebulae was outlined and some idea given of the vast size and speed of these bodies. Our galactic universe was only one of about half a million similar universes. Dealing next with the solar system, the professor described the forces at work in its making, devoting special attention to theories of the birth of the moon. One of the earliest attempts to estimate the age of the earth was that of Lord Kelvin in 1862, who estimated that the sun had illuminated the earth for some 25,000,000 years. Geologists, basing calculations on the salinity of the ocean, estimated that 180,000,000 years was required, but calculations based on the age of sedimentary rocks, pointed to a period of 350,000,000 years. Radio activity gave a basis for more accurate calculations, and these gave the result of 800,000,000 years. In conclusion, the lecturer briefly summarised the account he had given, showing that it gave to mankind cause for great pride, but also for deep humility. The thanks of the audience were expressed to the lecturer by Mr. H. Brasch.