Science: Geo-Corona

Space between the planets looks crystal clear to the unscientific eye. But there is indirect evidence that a very thin gas pervades at least some parts of it. Scientists have argued for years about this tenuous stuff: one theory holds that interplanetary space is filled with "resident" gas that has nothing to do with the planets; another claims that the outer fringe of the sun's glowing corona sometimes reaches out as far as the earth's orbit. The issue remained in doubt for the simple reason that no one had actually sampled interplanetary space, but in Britain's New Scientist Professor Josif Shklovsky...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!