Letter 3: The making of the Earth (In English) | Letters From a Father to His Daughter

In this letter, Nehru explains to his daughter the origins and formation of the Earth, the solar system, and celestial bodies. He begins by describing how the Earth revolves around the Sun, along with other planets, and how the Moon orbits the Earth as its satellite. This collection of planets and their moons, bound by the Sun, forms the solar system. He differentiates between stars and planets, explaining that stars shine on their own due to their heat, while planets, including the Earth and Moon, reflect sunlight. Nehru further explains that the Earth and planets were once part of the Sun, formed when pieces of the Sun's fiery mass broke away. These pieces remained connected to the Sun through gravitational pull, just like a rope. Over time, these fragments, including the Earth, cooled down, making it possible for life to eventually develop. He also touches on the formation of the Moon, possibly from a portion of the Earth, and the creation of oceans from water vapor that condensed after the Earth's cooling. Nehru concludes by hinting that life began on Earth after this long cooling process, which he will explore in his next letter.