A condensation theory of meteoric matter and its cosmological significance

ABSTRACT IN connexion with a theory on the constitution and development of stellar systems, I have recently directed attention1 to the significance of the great difference in temperature

between the interstellar gas and solid interstellar particles as an explanation of the origin and growth of meteoric particles. If we assume with Sir Arthur Eddington2 a temperature of

10,000° for the interstellar gas and, on account of the low energy density, a temperature of about 3° for solid particles, the latter must be assumed to grow by the condensation of sublimed

matter on their surface. This conclusion is in accordance with the conclusions drawn by I. Langmuir3 concerning the nature of the process of condensation of metallic vapours on solids. In

the present case, the energy of impact of atoms on the surface of the particle will be rapidly radiated into space, or perhaps to some small extent transformed into sub-atomic energy, so

that the particle remains cold. We assume that the interstellar gas actually contains all the elements in about the proportions formed in the earth's crust and in the sun, and that the

apparent predominance of calcium and sodium is due to the easy accessibility of very strong spectral lines due to these elements, namely, the H and K lines and the D line. For atomic weight

50, the temperature 10,000° gives a mean speed of the atoms of 2 km. per sec., and assuming a density of 5 for the solid particles formed, we readily obtain the formula Access through your

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local taxes which are calculated during checkout ADDITIONAL ACCESS OPTIONS: * Log in * Learn about institutional subscriptions * Read our FAQs * Contact customer support REFERENCES * _Mon.

Not. Roy. Ast. Soc._, in press. * ”The Internal Constitution of the Stars“, p. 371; 1926. * _Phys. Rev._, 8, 149; 1916. _Proc. U. S. Nat. Acad._, 3, 141; 1917. * _Astrophys. J._, 69, 7;

1929. * _K. Sven. Vetenskap., Handl._, 3, 13, No. 2; 1934. (_Upsala Meddelande_, No. 58.) * “The Earth”, p. 250; 1924. * _Mon. Not. Roy. Ast. Soc._, 94, 231; 1934. * Cf. Schoenberg and Jung,

_Astron. Nachr._, 247, 413 (1933). Article  ADS  Google Scholar  * Cf. Struve, Elvey and Keenan, _Astrophys., J._, 77, 274; 1934. Article  ADS  Google Scholar  * _Mon. Not. Roy. Ast. Soc._,

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references AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS * Director of Stockholm Observatory, BERTIL LINDBLAD Authors * BERTIL LINDBLAD View author publications You can also search for this

author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE LINDBLAD, B. A Condensation Theory of Meteoric Matter and its Cosmological

Significance. _Nature_ 135, 133–135 (1935). https://doi.org/10.1038/135133a0 Download citation * Issue Date: 26 January 1935 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/135133a0 SHARE THIS ARTICLE

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