SOLAR SYSTEM

a revolving a emblage of bodies, controlied by the ~ gravitative power of the sun. They present a great variety of size and constitution, pursue differently characterized orbits, and suggest diverse modes of origin. The sun’s dependents fall naturally into five cla es—planets, and meteors. The span of the solar system (if there be no ultra-Neptunian planets) is 5,583,000,000 m.; it is cro ed by light in 8 hours 17 minutes. Yet on a scale giving 244 m. as the diameter of Neptune’s orbit, the nearest fixed star would be 8,000 m. distant. The chief members of the system travel in paths which are only slightly inclined to its ‘invariable plane.’ The members of the system are— Mean Dist. from Sun (million Diameter Name miles) (miles) Mercury... 36 3,030 Venus. ce wo 67.2 7,700 Earth..... cidine 92.9 7,918 Miams ive terete ele 141.5 4,230 Jupiter...... we 483.3 86,500 Neptune..... 4 2791.6 34,800