. TilE S.\TURN AND ITS RINGS. Here Dr. Jeffreys invokes the tidal theory of the origin of the Solar System, suggested by Dr. Jeans and developed by himself. On this theory the giant planets would keep most of their lighter material, while the dwarf planets would only retain their heavier matter. Accordingly, Dr. Jeffreys maintains that the giant planets are com- posed of something less dense than terrestrial rocks, and he finds confirmation of this in the low density of the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. " The high albedo of Saturn's ring suggests that it is composed of some co
. TilE S.\TURN AND ITS RINGS. Here Dr. Jeffreys invokes the tidal theory of the origin of the Solar System, suggested by Dr. Jeans and developed by himself. On this theory the giant planets would keep most of their lighter material, while the dwarf planets would only retain their heavier matter. Accordingly, Dr. Jeffreys maintains that the giant planets are com- posed of something less dense than terrestrial rocks, and he finds confirmation of this in the low density of the satellites of Jupiter and Saturn. " The high albedo of Saturn's ring suggests that it is composed of some colour- less substance in a state of fine division, possibly ice or some other light non-metallic compound. Dr. Jeffreys agrees that the atmospheres are \-ery extensive, the depth being one-fifth of the radii of the planets. These atmospheres must be cold, and the sus- pended clouds in them " are probably composed of some material with much lower boiling and melting points than ; The hypothesis is a revolutionary one, and will probably meet with considerable opposition. It will undoubtedly have the effect of quickening interest in the giant planets and their nature. The Nature of the Spiral Nebulae Professor Lindemann's hypothesis of the nature of
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