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The stars, like humans, have life spans. Once they have exhausted their nuclear fuel, they die, sometimes exploding violently in the process. Long ago, a dying star belonging to our galaxy exploded into a cloud of elements. Over millions of years this cloud contracted to form the sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids of our whirling solar system. An image of our radiant sun with its orbiting asteroids and planets celebrates the birth of the solar system.

The Birth Of The Solar System

Then the Spirit said:
"Let stars blaze till they consume
The nuclear fire in their wombs,
And bursting forth as they collapse
Sow the elements in their grasp,
And from their dust let new stars grow
With moons and planets in their tow."

For millions of years, the young Earth grew as asteroids and mefeors bombarded its surface. During this time, the Earth was a very hot and hostile place with volcanoes constantly spouting toxic gases and molten rock. During this time, the Earth formed its upper mantle and crust and then acquired its first oceans and atmosphere. An image of erupting volcanoes honors the formative process that gave birth to the Earth.

The Birth Of The Earth

Then the Spirit said:
"Along with planets near and far
Let Earth take shape around its star.
While its crust solidifies,
Let molten rock throb inside,
Lifting the mountains, spreading the seas,
Molding and folding its geography."