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Atlas
CAPTAIN
A.
W.^^DRAYSOX, E.A,
}^^^
LONDON:
CHAPMAN AND HALL,
1862.
193
PICCADILLY.
LOKDON
PEEFACE.
will
he found a simple
which can be
When
been used to
by the pen.
common
eye.
may
telescope^ or even
be seen with
by the unaided
avoided
as possible
much
still
a moment's examination
will,
we
PEEFACEo
IV
unmathematical mincL
feel
readers
an
may
it
is
hoped that
CHAPTEE
Every
person
who
I.
possesses sight
is
provided
and beautiful
is
celestial objects.
If
many
him.
he
is
in
If,
addition
to
these natural
gifts,
comm^on
telescope,
pounds of
or
possesses
s]3are cash, so as to
about three
provide himself
COMMON SIGHTS
^
with one,
means
he
is
to enable
him
to
sufficient
which,
around
night
night,
after
this world,
and reveal
move
apparently
their wonders to
is
bodies,
and positions
plicated
all
their
which appertains
to the
movements, condition,
com-
many
the
common
interesting
comprehend even
To comprehend the
it
IN
is
THE HEAVENS.
paration
this science
telescopCj
requires little
more than
eyes, a
attention.
may
assumed
for
pation.
If,
ho^Yever,
Walking,
astronomy.
to
he called into
action,
much
air
body, &c.,
people
becile,
how
we might
all
become very
scientific
but probably should soon become imalthough we might possibly look with
walked
ably, but
science of
Thus
COMMON SIGHTS
4
heavens,
is
they
may be
common
There are
observation.
ful objects.
is
the glow-
life,
may
also
light the
crescent-
When
course,
us,
then
the
their
earth in
pale,
brilliant
fires,
until
at
last
the
IN
THE HEAVENS.
thousands of sparklmg
lights, which,
upon
although
day
sun.
for
most abundantly a
yield
amusement, and
it
is
The
lover
of
whose
natm-e,
wonders only,
is
which he
may
be in search
many
Yet
it
is
in
amusement, and
many
subjects
upon which
researches.
increased
when we know
that
many
we
live,
is
much
of these
and that
COMMON SIGHTS
(J
they
differ
minor
apparently from
merely
it
tliis
some
details, or in
been, those of
in
may have
To the most
su23erficial observer,
there appear
heavens,
viz.,
The
size
unless
some
slight
stars.
attention be
in
but
directed to
little variety.
the
first
must be divided
into
two classes
at
an immense distance
The
stars
which
which,
in
stars,
and
IX
THE HEAVENS.
Those of the
stars,''
class
are
called
''fixed
found that
It is
the sun
it is
first
all
the planets
move around
all
somewhat
of
Many
bodies termed
them
satellites,
move round
by certain
satellites,''
moon being
the sun
" moons,"
satellite
The
and their
satellites
solar system,
which
is
the
the grandchildren.
same
full
moon appear
size,
whilst
* Fi'om
2^^cinetes,
to us nearly
the various
wanderers.
planets
COMMON SIGHTS
deceitful,
and the
The proportional
moon,
'
between the
Great Eastern
toy -boat
size of the
is
steam-ship and a
'
boy's
little
prehend the
We
apparent size
of
objects if
we look through
The
there are
side
by
side,
if
the
and examined
from a distance.
The accompanying
tive diameter of the
table will
show the
rela-
IN
THE HEAYEXS.
Miles.
Sun
about 888,646
Jupiter
;,
89,000
Satui^n
if
76,000
Xeptune
Uranus
Eartli
Venus
There
J?
37,500
?-
35,000
??
7,912
7,800
Mars
?5
4,189
Mercury
?J
3,140
are, besides, a
number
of small planets
the system
members,
principal
and
they
are,
besides,
Five of
Mercury, Yenus,
can be
Uranus
is
and Saturn,
Mars, Jupiter,
viz.,
unaided eye,
dim
object
circular
COMMON SIGHTS
10
These planets
move round
all
at different distances
each
is
shown below.
different scale
is
now used
to
show the
THE
PL2.
SU]S^
Solax Spots
fe-eni
^ooki
indi.
IN THE HEAVENS.
CHAPTEK
THE
Every
is
11
II.
SUN.
summer
it
summer than
If the
in winter.
it
will
midday,
it
will
it
If
in the sky to
at
we should
midway between
If
of
20th of
these marks.
the dailv
COMMON SIGHTS
12
always greatest at
is
day
to day,
very
little
Then
until
it
its
more than
its
own
it
yaried a
diameter.
March the
still
shortest day,
great difference in
is
ference
then
dif-
is
not so
2:reat.
In
fact, durinsf
midday height
as there
is
IN
THE HEAVENS.
13
So that
as great a
is
in thirty
days of March
fifty-
to the
11th of February.
After the 21st
of
manner exactly
creased,
viz.,
similar to that in
slowly at
about midw^ay in
its
in September, there
just as in
March
first,
which
in-
course of descent.
is
it
Decem-
ber.
after
year with
The
the
movement
in a sort of
call the
half,
is
up-and-down manner.
Thus,
if w^e
loiver^
then we
COMMON SIGHTS
14
may
from
this elate to
and round a
the sun.
On
is
is
circle, in
From
and
is
September.
at other
3-^,.^
4.'--^,.
3";
Thus, suppose
DMJ
S a hoop
resting on a
IN
and propped up
table J,
15
THE HEAVENS.
at
above the
of this hoop.
1) to 1.
it
hoop
is
moved from
1 to 2,
much
wards
it
this
1 to 2
were equal
would be a more
This
is
From
at
At
above
X the
it.
it.
M the
The
and
tion
at J
this part
same thing
and from
to 1
to 3 there
As
nearly level.
we
If
t<tl:'le,
posi-
is
distant
which would
we
travel
to
more than
a million and
COMMON SIGHTS
16
If
we stand
at
see
almost knocking us
do^\Ti,
we cannot
well
fail
to
There
to be jolting
tion, at
is
fifty
to destruc-
miles an hour,
it,
we are
This
is
cer-
familiarized
slightly impressed
impressed we
should
be,
were we
able
to
an hour
IX
THE HEAYEXS.
although he
from day
may repose
to day.
to the
our world
is
planet
is
a great tra-
in his arm-chaii'
compared
therefore,
17
is
slow
when compared
live,
and
to the little
At noon
in England.
to
hours
earth,
it
all localities
move round
therefore, in
and consequently
of the
will
we know
If
we
can always
tell
for as the
sun
is
at 9 A.ir.,
at half-past 10
between
A.:yi.,
and
so on.
If the time
of sunrise be
added
to that of
COMMON SIGHTS
18
sum
sunset, the
amount
8 A.M.,
it
will set
it
two
Thus,
to twelve.
at 5 A.M.,
know
of the
will nearly
if
about 4 p.m.
always
and
7 p.m.
if it rise
thus, if
we may obtain
sum
we
that
of the
We
may
some
see
before
Among
refer
v'e
artificial
them
means
enable
a person to
distinctly.
phenomena con-
in-
must appear
we
at first
very curious.
In England
the 21st of
May
many
of our
November
days.
This, however,
is
THE HEAVENS.
IN
19
an autumn day.
and a
that
must trayel
and a half
In Spitz-
is,
we must
Norway, in
midnight
The
Baffin's
the north of
Iceland,
the
June.
we go from England,
mer.
When
torial
w^e are at
the central
latitudes of the
earth,
i. e,,
directly overhead
dming midday
September, and
a very
little
the equa-
in
in
March and
cember.
The
nights
Erebus.
If the
at
the
moon
equator
are
dark as
if
compared
At
to the
summer night
is
twilight
at the equator.
COMMON SIGHTS
20
so that twilight
In England, and in
half of the world,
it is
sun
that
is,
from
left
hand
to
right.
side,
these
become
directions
rise
left,
from
and
to
left,
if
left
a weight were to be
who were
Each
and
it
would move
vice versa.
is
movement
of
a rather con-
IN
THE HEAVENS.
21
Cape
Good Hope
of
as long
ago as 400
B.C.
that
is,
and
there were
some
for
travellers
who
sailed
down the
viz.,
hand and
set
upon
their
rise
left.
age when
to
it
it,
especially in
an
foolish
of a plane,
ventured
rising or setting,
size.
If
another time
must be some
is
effect
22
COMMON SIGHTS
not a real enlargement in the actual
which,
is
size of
the sun, or in
These
measured
its
considerations
size.
induced
the
earlier
horizon, whilst
in the
compare him.
veiy
little
shown that
tion of the
phenomenon
consequence of
effects
it is
only two or
From
another
this explanation
viz.,
fact, also,
and no
thi^ee
times
effect is seen.
the inefficiency of
frequently at sea,
lake,
ought always to be
is
terrestrial
or
observed very
is
other
calm
as a
objects are
far
THE HEAYEXS.
IX
appearance
due
is
23
to
objects,
When
distinctly
the
shortly
and
prophecy
^'weather-wise"
change
w^eather,
fall.
might enable us
When
of
will
to collect
some
useful facts.
he
of
circular,
the sun
is
being parallel to
the horizon.
This effect
called refraction.
to indicate the
is
Eefraction
due to what
is
is
light as
water.
it
become bent
upper
body may be
to the
from
celestial
part,
is
and
COMMON SIGHTS
24
is
sun.
ance referred
The sun
to.
from a
circle to
is
and
an oval.
shape altered
Accordino- to the
;#
,-
"^^^W^^fe^
state of the
atmosphere
apparent distortion
this
considerable.
with
it
is
horizon, as
The most
that
when
it
is
usually very
above the
and
is
is
brought into
view by refraction.
called parhelion
near
the
sun.
is
that
Sometimes
IN
or
three,
two,
THE HEAVENS.
appearance
regions
men-
Aristotle
rarely witnessed.
is
it
is
in the
visible
In high latitudes
25
tions
seen the
Pliny
tells of
of Claudius.
an astronomer of celebrity
that seven
and
Hevelius,
at Dantzic, relates
noticed
by
him.
and below
it,
of a
and
halo
When examined by
If,
and
if
is
by no means
lines
and
COMMON SIGHTS
26
large
size
upon
appear
his
The
surface.
peculiarities
offer
The
constitution.
large
spots,
any
to their
however, are
phenomena which
dation of speculation.
The
spots
to
make
us
They show us
They
axis
its
rotation.
It not unfrequently
eye some one or two spots upon the sun, provided that a piece of coloured glass be used as
a means to subdue his brilliancy.
When taking
and without a
THE HEATEXS.
IX
and green
27
most favourable
for
is
black.
exist-
was invented
amine the
but
sun's
pieces of yellow
glass, or
and
even look
pail of water,
it
if
or red and
red,
green
will
During a London
visible, I
fog,
when
the sun
is
only just
distinctly.
place,
and to
dark eye-piece
telescope.
fitted
To
on
to the
observe
any
body
COMMON SIGHTS
28
When
the wind.
power
stand,
is
changes in the
kept of the
from which
some
might
valuable facts
be
adduced.
To
of
a very
pole
difficult
matter to
and how
star,
his
tell
which
equator
to
which
To
is
Suppose
that
spots,
made
its
we
to turn round.
know
how-
If
approxiis,
accomplished
the sun's
globe
appear
arranged
as follows
is
is
may
it
lines,
when
the
we walked
tell in
which
when we found
we should then
angles to
IN
these Knes, and
THE HEAVENS.
in which direction
the
spots
it
pointed.
So
is
it
mth
29
and curved
Thus,
year.
mark on
if
we
would appear,
as
shown below,
at the
December.
March.
June.
September.
spots trace
COMMON SIGHTS
30
The motion
of th.e sun.
would occur
and
ball,
left across to
if
it
is
is
the right
only reasonable
therefore
is
it
it
axis.
is
found to
the
movement
it is
of
the
earth
The probable
object
little
allowance for
to
half.
A
is
spot
if
When
the spot
first
as
sun,
then
is
left side
upon the
the spot
if ever,
is
it
^^Tien
all
black, but
usually with a
THE HEAYEXS.
IN
When
lighter fringe.
sun,
it
is
lighted
lighted in the
side to that
when it became
31
visible
^vill
upon which
upon the
it
was
left side.
it
Many
made
as to the
many
is
years before
we
It
may
upon our
and
it
is
cli-
pro-
sun will
From
still
continue to be mysteries.
thirty years,
there
COMMOiT SIGHTS
32
In
groups.
tiie
in
only 33
1833,
year
were only
in 1843, there
Again
34.
Thus
in
viz.,
1848
at intervals
maximum number
of
little
singular,
and
may
it
be con-
on earth are
is
Thus
of spots are
is
it
highly pro-
connected
mth
sun's
spots
is,
magnetism
terrestrial
is
luminous
cause, or, as
atmosphere
openings in
by which
it
he
is
is
sur-
the dark
IN
THE HEAVENS.
There
is
is
hypothesis, inasmuch as
sume some
33
requires us to as-
it
On
impossible
water,
and
it is
to
it
earth
is
equally as
difficult to
form a
Unless, therefore,
sohd,
is
we
it is
produced in
And
it.
thus
we have
to assume
Dming
the evenings of
we
it.
March and
April,
of a comet.
it
is
light,
is
not so
in equatorial regions.
when
is
is
is
It
free
COMMON SIGHTS
34
light
is
usually of
a rose-pink, and
according to the
tensity
The
frequently observed.
it
state
colour
varies
in
is
in-
of the atmo-
sphere.
It
is
when we
realize
human mind
man.
We
example which
so completely
exempHfies this
know-
movements
sages;
attention
many
to wield an influence
it
the
Eastern
instances the
of
possess,
slight
was trea-
bigoted.
An
eclipse of the
sun,
IX
THE HEAYEXS.
35
bigotry,
or
for
the
purpose of
modern
progress,
paratively
nomy and
astrology,
nounced that a
when
solar eclipse
it
was
astro-
first
an-
moon.
it
There appears
to show, that the
to
COMMON SIGHTS
36
yet
it
his
countrymen, and
infidel.
the explanation of an
for a
we wonder how
it
is
effects are
very
child-
due to
difficult to
up-
may
It
the advanced
men of the
patiently thought
trial for
at
so different
from a modern
their state
ceedings
logic,
of
some
half-savages,
argument, demonstration, or
upon whom
facts
would
IN
THE HEAVENS.
produce no more
effect
upon a herd of
swine.
37
felt
an
eclipse verified
cases, a price
knowledge
facts.
must be paid
and
by
this
in
all
solitary student
to
of the
and
lonely,
felt
as
Still,
must have
period of
and ex-
exchange ideas
circle of
our boon
companions.
An
phenomenon
is
a sufficiently rare
To
consequence of
they
may
its
correct
any
errors
which
exist in tlie
moon
for
COMMON SIGHTS
38
now
well known,
still
made.
The
first
its
is
and
circular form,
and as
it
the landscape
is
pale-yellow light.
or
partial
is
total,
commencement
of the ecKpse
is
at its
entirely obscured,
light,
maximum the
or may appear
When
sun
may
the
be
as a ring of
moon
is
from
the earth.
It is
is
IN"
THE HEAVENS.
39
of these
tuberances,
consists
of a
prominences,
or
number
of
The
pro-
become
which
visible
the moon.
colour,
The
the spots,
Some
observers
sun;
but
as
it
From
which have been made
careful
observations
since 1842, it
results
is
and
is
the
moon
merely
our atmosphere.
The moon
is
COMMON SIGHTS
40
Some
a very
this, says, in
"
it
twelfth, or
pearly white
it
appeared to
me
phenomena worthy
We will
consider
of the earth
may
this appear-
both these
consider
of observation.
more fully
and moon
when we speak
is
During future
amateurs
say a
Speculation
eclipses,
may
to be slightly
those
movements
which cause
eclipses
of the moon.
and consequently
amongst
an
regarded as objects of
fear.
During
my
resi-
P1.3.
tlie
Sim
TinDsnt BxookiiJi
THE HEAVENS.
IN
announced
some
to
my
of
41
Ka6r companions.
until they
ill/'
decrease,
inquiries
Theii*
saw
were
''the
sun
light begin to
its
greatly astonished.
and amusing
original
the
and thought
When
hills.
and that
seen,
it
know whether
time to
lie
it
was
down behind
moon would
added
in
line of
shadow
and one
man
first
Peloponnesian war
on board
in
persuading the
his galley to
accompany him,
as they
omen.
The
o'reat battle of
Arbela was
fou2:ht
COMMON SIGHTS
42
of the battle
The following
to
are
be visible in England
years
1865
1867
March 6th
1870
December 22nd
1874
1887
August 19th
3 a.m.
1900
May
3 p.m.
There
will
8 a.m.
.
11 a.m.
28th
be other
eclipses
visible,
but
IJJ
THE HEAVEXS.
CHAPTER
"What
43
III.
From
conjectare,
and we
will
all
conjecture."
we pass
now
to that of
is
facts
is
To
speculate
to build
is
to
reflect
upon
comthe
covery of truth.
Sometimes we
been
designated
find
that individuals
speculators,
have
simply because
COMMON SIGHTS
44
Thus we usually
controvertible facts.
the sound,
by
men
certain
whereas
reality belonged to
positions secure
The
upon
in-
find that
w^ere designated
speculators,
rest
that
these
those
visionaries
characteristics
who
and
in
believed their
and immutable.
men
earliest scientific
speculated upon
it
was
flat,
and that
who
pothesis,
it
rested
upon water.
Those
visionaries, with
whom
it
as speculators
was useless
to
reason.
Scripture.
are
who, like
more enlightened,
it
is
more
IN
THE HEAVENS.
45
wisdom
is
earth and
all
it
system.
It is almost impossible to
upon
subject
formed:
name any
come
to
a different con-
to
to
at,
another,
it
is
and we
probabilities affecting
each.
when
accepted
speculations.
The cause
is
subject w^hich
but which
is
speculation only.
We
have therefore
to con-
of this heat
reflect
and
as a preliminary step
we may
at
COMMON SIGHTS
46
is
produced.
First
means
we have
of
the
common method
viz.,
some
fire.
we
by
fuel.
Secondly. Heat
may
be produced by means
of friction,
is
friction takes
Great heat
Thirdly.
when a
substances
is
produced in
current
of
employed
electricity
is
is
contained,
as conductors.
Fourthly.
great heat
many
place, so the
great or otherwise.
is
These are
heat
all
there
may
be
it is
IN
THE HEAVENS.
we have
many
just
more, for
now reached
47
probable that
it is
it is
We
may
we
vertical
we
find that
feel
the horizon
may be
the sun
is
nearly
is
that
of lofty mountains
the sun
and amongst
if
we
we ascend
to the
near
Even from
directly overhead.
we
is
summit
make with
There
is
in itself
particles of
is
a great
is
fire,
or that
our earth.
it
The
composed may be
may be
is
producing great
somewhat
similar to
may produce
COMMON SIGHTS
48
no
effect
sphere
We
it
may
know
that a
electricity,
copper
thu^ty
may
light.
be at the distance
and
battery.
so
the
is
electricity.
platinum
becomes red
it
When, however,
of
and
by means of
fired
wire
piece
gun may be
although
of twenty or
The battery
enters an atmo-
it
hot,
the
wire,
wire
instantly
If
fired.
an
electric
current was
dependent on the
itself
must be
at a
Hence
it
central orb
is
may be
a cool
summer residence,
is
not
but
is
IX
may
it
THE HEAYEXS.
49
heat from
little
at a great
is
it
We may be
vice versa.
must be
sure that
made some
rangements
to us,
to
overcome
this,
ar-
apparent
difficulty.
far brighter
is
and appears
is
not so near to us as
million miles,
that
is
number
and Jupiter
rather
is
of miles farther
is
forty
more than
Mars.
It
if
om-
little
earth
to
what we
When, however, we
rived from the sun
know
of
organic
may
life.
we
our way.
see no
COMMON SIGHTS
50
Another singular
which
fact
To
not
assert that
made
for
this rotation
interestmg
purpose
definite
is
for a purpose
what that
system
they
revolye.
round their
the same
orbits,
all
of the
move round
direction, the
is
very like
Surely, then,
libel creation.
must be
is
its axis.
some
an endeayour to
is
way
sun
as the planets
^^lanets
seem
to roll
The
rotation of the
That which
is
yery remarkable
is,
now we
IN
51
THE HEAYEXS.
that these
to a
law.
movement
of the sun
show a curious
fact
will also
represents the
sun,
to B.
is
from
movement.
If
now we suppose
COMMON SIGHTS
52
a circle
is
hundred and
forty-five
just as often as
its
is
annual course
nearly the
it
mean distance of
Thus
if
the
moon from
the
we considered the
roll
around the
From
it
365 days.
the experiments of various philosophers
to rotate
upon
stances near
it,
when a magnet
cause
is
made
many
sub-
rotation
May
it
of the sun
found to be thus
in-
way the
may we
effect only.
IX
when we speak
gravity
The
THE HEAYEXS.
of grayity. and the
haws of
mdiyidiial
might possibly
of an electro-magnet,,
effect
53
at
fii'st
near
it
other
effects,
The Sim
axis,
is
is,
trace effects to
we must be
the nearer
to causes.
spherical,
planets.
here
more we can
for the
Cjuestion
which
is
naturally
connected by some
it
another orb?
the
sun
other
subtle
the sun,
Is
to
planets,
and
but
arises
entirely independent
is
the
in
power
or
means vith
fact,
planet
of
our
is
good reason to
of a
magnetic and
electric
and we are by
character
COMMON SIGHTS
54
work
and power
by some
in a
measure
yet
is
the influence
planet,. and
of our
Nep-
much
of
primary
which occurred.
Some
quantity of light.
is
we might conclude
it
to the supposition
for
summer
P1.4.
'Vjnr^.nt,
THE MOOIS^
SIX DAYS OLD.
IN
THE HEAYEXS.
CHAPTEE
55
IV.
THE MOOX.
Next
to
object
which
From
moon
attracts the
is
the
greatest
moon
celestial
attention.
wielding influences
is
not at
all
moon
To the
hopelessly
intricate
COMMON SIGHTS
56
simplicity
fusion
takes
Nature's works,
beautiful
arranged upon
is
like all
the
most
The moon
first
and
sun
is
that which
is
The
illuminated.
moon
Soon
also disappears
after
beneath
set.
and
clear,
not only
moon be
appears of a pale-yellowish
tint,
and somewhat
The moon
no
light
is
from
itself,
consequence of
Thus,
when
it
little
its
reflecting
being invisible to
The
or
moon
us.
IX
the
moon
earth,
is
57
We
THE HEAVENS.
moon upon
must remember
the earth.
when
that,
a ball
is
always be lighted
and, just as
we
we stand with
When we
see the
moon
as a thin crescent,
and the
is
only
earth, the
same
straight line.
If
will
circular shape.
moon moves
it
will
be
semi-
when she
will
is in
imme-
now be
the west.
COMMON SIGHTS
58
When
the
when we
moon
the
moon, then a
moon
is
to the earth.
fact,
method
they suggested
for
yery
determining the
number
sun,
they
distance
sun.
moon appeared an
then
measured
the
moon and
the
as follows
of this
ingenious
relative
exact
to the
vrill
moon
line
triangle,
M was the
m
M E
tance of
THE HExiYENS.
and
make
59
Thus they
180^.
M S E.
Then by
rule of
three
As
Was
to the distance
MSE
M E,
To the
side
EMS
S, the sun's
E, the
distance,
became known.
There
is
problem
for the
ancients
it
proved with
came
this
to very dif-
The
idea nevertheless was ingenious, however uncertain were the practical results.
of the
moon
will
move
quite circular.
At
is
moon,
COMMON SIGHTS
60
When
the
moon
on the other.
full,
is
moon being
and
sets,
sets at the
rises.
size
moon
that
we
now
is
So
it
illuminated,
that, if
we stand
creases in brightness,
when she
is
decreasing.
being
now
when
she
is
we
bright.
The moon,
sometimes appears
and of a deep
red
tint,
considerably.
due
to
side
These
brilliancy vary
effects are
most probably
IX
When we know
the
moon
to
THE HEAVEXS.
that
seem
it is
bright, there
doxical.
line
is,
that
if
61
an appear-
is
sight
first
we draw a
para-
straight
times appear
all
it
ought to do.
and
about half
full,
the sun
south-west.
will
is
is
is
moon
about south-east
is
when
to.
MOOx
^^&ru,
Eo rizon
^^^
This
is
a straight
and
as
we
due
to the horizon
line,
whereas
darkness on the
moon
it
is
being aiwarently
really a curve
COMMON SIGHTS
62
main
stationary
they
may
'portion of
re-
the
be part of a
circle.
If the
how
this
would
rises,
be, if
We
we observe
can
Then,
at
is
if
she
would extend
in
a curve
from the
much
eastern
in the
man-
1, 2, 3, 4,
of the
moon
Then,
if
the
would appear
moon were
as
1, 2, 3, 4.
it
THE HEAYEXS.
IX
This
is
why
the reason
the
63
comets
tails of
If,
however, a
when
same
the
moon
be straight, just as a
Thus a comet's
appear bent to an
might
tail
to
The
the direction of
tail
If
nights,
it
will
Sometimes
It
several
of the great
peculiarity.
comet of 1861
The
fact
the zenith.
the
Tvas straight,
and that
this
tail
was a
tail,
tail
ithe
to
horizon to
east to west
and
the
tail
zenith
/.
e.,
if
but
if
the
tail
him
quite sti'aight.
it
would
at
COMMON SIGHTS
64
slie
rises
Then, in
less
less
has
The reason
of this
is,
that the
durmg
altitude of the
moon
same ihanner
as a
occurs in six
months.
may
moon moves
The
following figure
^4r
A and B
on the
is
earth's surface
positions
of the
moon,
same observer
that,
if
x be the
IN
moon
afterwards the
shown by
THE HEAVENS.
65
be in the position
will
y.
moon
at B, the
will
at A,
is
then
at y^
We
This, however,
is
new moons,
moons
arises
&c.
about
is
from
291 days.
If the
This
earth stood
difference
the
wliilst
moon
moves round
then the
still,
of 27^
at intervals
full
full
days.
M
M
moon, which at
invisible.
is
the sun,
N three positions
is full,
at
If the earth
half
full,
remained
of the
and
at E,
at
and
COMMON SIGHTS
66
the
and
31 to
Ml
to
X,
moons would
round the
If,
earth.
however
(as is
will
Q in 27-^
to R before
move on
she appears
''
full,"
The
and
to
it
move from
synodic revolution.
to E.
is
called the
the
IN
THE HEAYEXS.
67
on
we have an
axis,
its
night
and
if
him once
day and
alternation of
would be
visible
The moon
in twenty-four hours.
manner
moon
This arises
we were
If
to stick a
around
us,
we should only
upon
its
Just so
is
it
with the
In consequence of the
the earth, she
by the
sun,
and a half
is
moon
revolving round
moon
COMMON SIGHTS
68
and a
day
rather longer
is
move
little
in a similar
manner
the earth would ever see the sun, whilst the re-
mainder would be
in darkness,
Some
we
upon us when
histories,
upon the
it
appears by
this,
was,
aftei^
gular
the
first
condition.
if
It
Yet
sin-
terrestrial
moon
bestirring
this
sible,
would be
come the
morning-
The moon
follows the
IN
THE HEAVENS.
69
it
were
to
she
direction
drag the
same
in the
viz.,
moon round
her, just as
in
various
face,
we
on the moon
itself.
direct a telescope of
When, however,
moderate power
is
to-
presented
pears,
light
and
and
all
mountainous
district
on
earth.
is
whilst here
and there
against the
dark
brilliant
background.
peaks
shine
Occasionally
COMMON SIGHTS
70
two or three
become
objects
star-like
visible
of the
is
reflected from
are
Huge
near them.
and
craters
clusters of mountains,
gentle
slopes
become
like that of
is
at
a vast volcanic
just ceased,
Some
our earth.
exceeds
scarcely
meter, whereas
district,
and
craters
all
nine
one
tenth
Thus Tene-
miles
a crater in the
of the
in
moon
dia-
called
Some
of
these
lunar
by the
craters
much
circular,
elongated.
are
is
They
only partially
IN
THE HEAYEXS.
il
siir-
moon
hills
and
dales,
are
does
not
but there
seas, or
even water.
is
confirmation.
It is
very easy to
see, tiiat if
we know the
casts,
and
we can
This fact
There
is,
however, very
little
dependence
to
may
be,
for
it
cast
the
altitudes
longest
assumed
shadows
for
the
mountaiDs should
and the
lunar
various
mountains
COMMON SIGHTS
72
For
instance,
upon
earth
the
Himalaya
These mountains
And
great shadow.
if
it
is
not one-sixth
the height.
The length
tain
will
of
shadow
cast
by a lunar moun-
it,
it
When we
it
moon
for
are
the earth,
to be
IN
THE HEAVENS.
73
in
tlieii'
thus they
may
it
any seas or
ance
with
moon
is
not possessed
terrestrial
conditions
there
that
be some deep ravines and mighty peaks exposed to view in various places where the ocean
now
exists.
The
and
outline of the
moon
is
somewhat jagged
might be at
first
supposed.
an extent as
The approach
men-
ground,
and
thus,
to
pro-
would
The
surface of the
moon appears
to
have
COMMON SIGHTS
74
The deep
forces.
There
is,
craters at once
show
this.
when
as
is,
some upheaving
force going
on in
the
moon numerous
In
there would be in
fact,
We
of the
Any
moon's surface.
traveller
in tropical regions,
in his zenith,
and when he
is
at
midday
is
exposed to the
soil
and
air
would
This
is
the condition
surface,
which
is
IX
THE HEAYEXS.
75
is invisible.
It is only reasonable to
may
ever
still
and during
must be
cold.
great
changes,
it
and
if
just be-
neath the lunar surface there are rocks containing sulphur, or other non-conducting matter.
It
subject
of
discussion
moon.
Some
observers have
come
to
there
is
for in
to
be
COMMON SIGHTS
76
viduals
must be
this description it
if
is
one
sufficient to disprove
fact,
and
appearances which
may
be active volcanoes,
it
be
assumed
fairly
matters but
little
to
whether
certainly appears
It
we
is
when
amount of
We
exposed.
igneous
surface,
is
ought to
moon
is full,
moon
is
thus
when the
is
surface, these
ought in the
Photo-
IN
graphy
is
an
falsehoods,
THE HEAVENS.
artist
who
77
moon can be
taken, and
when
this
photograph
may
col-
down
to posterity,
may
by
subjects.
We
must, how-
we do not confound
this
by
self-elected authorities.
The
earliest
is
itself.
something
re-
COMMON SIGHTS
78
What
moon."
From wet
cloudy to
to
mean ?
from
fine,
clear,
and
from
to wet;
fine
from
frosty
from a cold
from a nip-
to dry
of weather.
Then a change
moon
First, the
new moon.
moon
is
from snow
this ?
This
are
of
again,
then
moon
localities,
is
Then the
is full,
then she
Thus,
invisible.
'^changes."
if
is
then there
change.
is
half-lighted
changes
moon, what
is invisible,
is
all
from
Now
it
some change of
moon
changed.
We
this is
localities,
an important consideration,
for
if
and
we
same time.
little
uniformity at the
If the climate of
Enoiand be com-
IX
THE HEAYEXS.
79
is
still
greater
Which
locality, then,
which
is
affected
by
moon ?
men
moon on
il.
by
different scien-
Thus observations
the weather.
and Paris
ried on at Stutto-ard
results
at
car-
o'ave different
and the
last quarter,
was found
least rain
moon
new
moon.
From
consideration
by
collected
pears that
if
different
of the various
experimentalists,
facts
it
moon do
appro-
change,
influences
as
the
different places.
local
conditions
surroundins:
COMMON SIGHTS
80
We
are
upon tolerably
moon
safe
ground when we
attracts
this,
waters
we do not
when
find
of the
it
the atmosjDhere
Granting
ocean.
attract the
When
we have
we have
very
must
to consider attraction,
Dealing-
obtained.
conjectm^e,
it
becomes
attracts
which water
is
composed.
We find that
of miles,
and
it
is
not,
many
therefore,
we can
like
deal.
is.
attrac-
millions
bv means
is
any
It
thus
of the
IX
THE HEAVENS.
81
it
is
subtle
deficient,
will,
may
This action
ideas,
very slow
according to
be,
still,
find our
moon
granitic
and volcanic
if
it
passing from
state,
we should
exist,
its
human
present hard
into
condition
upon
its
life
surface
this
moon
possessed an atmo-
growth of plants
live
and thus
ferns
to
them.
Their
by a deposit
fall
of snow,
COMMON SIGHTS
82
vegetables might be
deposited, which
would
who were
when
its
moon
is,
atmosphere, then,
if
moon
the
when any
There
is
possessed an
would be considerably
phenomena
expected,
altered.
As might be
in-
naturally exists
Some
difference of opinion
as to whether the
it
star or planet
moon
passed
change
is
produced.
It is
IX
THE HEAYEXS,
83
but this
merely an assumption.
is
may
any distance.
In fact
and
it is
An
extend
to say to
it is difficult
earth's atmosphere
there were a
it
were
whereas,
We
should
a star as the
moon
within
atmosphere,
our
passed
it,
immediately
much more
dense.
or
un-
the
moon were
avoid
the
unless
When we
if
There
is
it is difficult
moon
is
to
the
an appearance
when
granite or
COMMON SIGHTS
84
life to
soil,
sufficiently favourable
When we
zoophytes.
we
Lucian and
who
it
are
possessed a satellite.
Some
Then
if so,
the
objection
is
prising that
its tail,
no
tailT
just that
its
tail
tail,
if
said,
a comet, and
This weak
when they
for
it is
sm-
we might
comet
it
THE HEATEXS.
IX
85
has when at
its
approximation of
connected with
it
its
appears to be
particles
its
a comet
it
it
Thus the
greatest distance.
but
moon was
other ways.
be hastily disposed
of,
either
by
is
not to
ridicule or
probabihties
an
must be
The
distance of the
obtained than
in
is
moon
is
more readily
Two
The
latitudes of these
two
observation.
stations being
kno^m,
may
be obtained.
Thus,
if
COMMON SIGHTS
86
of the
moon from
added
moon from
The
GM
C.
known.
The two
sides
MG
and
and C
is
are so
M G C and M C G
sides M C can be
same
star
observer at C.
at
appear at
an observer
is
would
to
an
afforded
which
87
THE HEAVEXS.
lis
one
still
suffi-
more than
As soon
moon
is
and she
is
found,
quite
An
moon
eclipse of the
lasts a
is
much
first,
moon
is
when
the sun
to
direction,
is
from
because
but
longer
The
two are
following
is
eclipse, is travelling
is
moving
in the other.
During
COMMON SIGHTS
a lunar eclipse, however, the
and
will
moon
course which at
is
will
be at
Is,
towards P, a
^\o
_M|t
F^.
follows.
To produce
is
re-
earth's shadow,
eclipse.
it
line.
In con-
the earth
appear at
first
same
straight line.
Thus
it
may
IN
THE HEAVENS,
89
The
fact
crosses
the
however
is,
moon only
that the
if
when she
or invi-
is full
There
may
eighteen years
eclipses,
dming a period
of
lunar.
partial,
is invisible.
In
may be
as total eclipses, in
whilst
in
this respect
others
moon can be
the
an eclipse
ever the
seen in
When-
but
it is
not so
same instant
to
two observers,
may be
partially
The
COMMON SIGHTS
90
reason of this
may
fol-
lowing diagram
An
earth's
surface,
directly
therefore to
the locality
The observer
eclipsed.
upon the
observer standing at
moon
see the
M the
in
the
at P, however,
direction
would
that
is
by the moon
it
eclipsed to the
would be
totally hidden
tween
eclipse
IX THE HEAYEXS.
91
near to
or 0.
T\lien the
is
due
moon
may
moon
alter his.
partial eclipse
Thus a
shadow
total eclipse of
all
places
is
be a partial eclipse.
^vill
no necessity to travel
is
this
be a total eclipse at
will
there
phenomenon
the
eclipsed, the
to
observer
is
Thus
to different parts
although
it
may be
we take any
If
earth's surface,
we
particular locality
shall find that
from that
upon the
more lunar
locality
than there
greater,
than
is
and
it
is
more
a solar.
of the
The
the
likely to be visible
moon.
best time for observing the surface of
moon with
quarter.
She
a telescope
will
is
during the
first
92
C03IM0N SIGHTS
evening
is
sufficiently
advanced to enable us to
The sun
difficulty.
then
is
being as
much
in diameter
and form
These cra-
craters.
large,
as one
many
of
them appear
to
have a
may
crater.
considerable
shadow
cast
by the
and various
shade
cally
moon
side
of the
of
crater, in
sun, as
the
the
mountain
rise
Much
lost
when
YmcenvBrods^IiiL
wo2Mes.
Craters on
S-SouOi of Mooji
1.
2.
Craters West
ofjsppenn ines
liVIplioiiso kc.
neaj^
Maic
iS.Posidomas
i
'
:viibiixm..
.
7. lIa.iiro
ly cii s
8.Aj^ejmme^
9.
lydio
IX
nation as
is
THE HEATEXS.
93
when about
is
one-third
directed towards
the earth.
On
may serve
to
show
On
Plate 4
is
a diagram of the
partly visible.
moon taken
It will
be seen
moon
seem
to
be
COMMON SIGHTS
94
CHAPTEE
V.
YENUS.
The
celestial object
which appears
The
Venus.
this planet,
is
at times
the planet
and the
fact of her
by
being a morning
and never
visible during
One
of the
be able
see
is
it is
is
that
to
a planet or a
planets
It
to tell
is
star,
and
also
we may have
which of the
seen.
slioiitest reflection
will enable us to
THE HEAVENS.
IN
when we
decide
see
95
a planet, whether
it
is
size,
whitish light.
piter.
either
as
Ju-
of
the
former,
always
exhibits
mistaken
for
them.
Venus
is
rise also
Thus she
the horizon
set.
But Venus
is
never seen at
and south
nor
is
she
eve-r
seen of an evening
Thus,
if
where
a very
is
bril-
seen near
COMMON SIGHTS
96
western horizon in
tlie
evening
tlie
shortly
then
this object
is
he
will
cause he
will
same
locality
less brilliant,
be-
Venus ought
to be recognized
for
page.
in
is,
may
is
never seen
tliis
an orbit which
never
is
because
is
planet
within
W V the
orbit of
Venus,
the earth.
When Venus
an
observer
is
at
at E,
to
and
IX
to Q.
WTien
THE HEAYEXS.
was
this observer
lie
would
was
She would
at
a morning
97
be seen in the
COMMON SIGHTS
98
If
Venus were
wonld
and
rise after
she would
when
invisible,
be seen as an evening
star.
as
in the
She,
same
however,
when the
move
If
we suppose
Venus
is
at
in the direction
that
is
earth
a morning
star.
Thus
all this
this
time remain
planet remains
Venus
is
same apparent
That
THE HEAYEXS.
IX
is,
in
iiiteryals
gram,
is
99
star.
The reason
earth.
The
distance of
is
found
being
about
times Yenus
ninety-fiye
millions.
Thus
at
much
less
some
size,
It is generally
is
rather smaller
the earth
is
rather
when she
is
eye.
ex-
COMMON SIGHTS
100
amined with a
telescope.
moon
at times.
and more
If she be
brilliant.
is
examined
As
when
half illuminated.
becomes
less
and
she
is lost
as a
sun,
morning
in
is in-
star,
and reaches
When
at the
west
side,
him, and
will
be
THE HEAVENS,
IX
101
The phases
appearance are termed, are not the only interesting facts reyealed
when we dkect a
an atmosphere
that there
lead
us
of her
We
thus
and
For we
conclude that
to
surface
she has
has an
portions
also
tele-
alternation
we know
of
axis,
and
a change of
season.
we observed two
and
sails,
and
if
ships,
hull, masts,
and
is
night, a year,
day
earth,
COMMON SIGHTS
102
it is
space.
When
moon being
when only a
was
slight crescent
this
effect,
illuit
is
by supposing that
It
is
singular,
of
whose
when only
light given
effect
sufficient to
on a planet as
much
when
upon
whereas she
illuminated
brighter light
is
body.
light
of
IN
fleeted
THE HEAVENS.
on to her sm^face.
It
is
103
not impossible,
may
Venus and
give
some way
jDroduce light in
all
When
reflect
tliis
is
ex-
will again
conjectm^e.
may
independent of that
and thus
which they
its
is
much more
found to be
nearest to the
brilliant
than
almost meet.
This
is
a natural consequence
in early morning,
torial regions
is
in
equa-
in high lati-
tudes.
There
is
an additional obscuration of
light
is
dense atmosphere
a condition which
it is
not
COMMON SIGHTS
104
The
surface of
Venus
is
of
her surface,
Sometimes
her atmosphere.
or
of about twenty-three
minutes.-
is
The method
planet's rotation
the
of discovering
is
to
watch
for
upon the
time of a
some remarkplanet,
and to
less
than
moved round
its first
exist,
position.
Some doubt
might, however,
rotations or
more had
may
be settled
if
we
THE HEAYEXS.
IX
105
an hour
or two^ for
is
by an examina-
ascertained
upon Venus,
viz.,
we can
find
Venus
This chano'e
vear.
is
of sufficient
If
the rotation of
summer
rotation
of
the
sun,
that
all
localities
haK
of one
If,
however, we ex-
find
COMMON SIGHTS
106
lioui^s.
The
Yenus
may be
tlie
twenty-four
understood by the
better
following
figTires.
Venus.
Earth.
^^
"
^'-
Venus.
.^^S::^
__.
:-^^^^^^
-Sto
^^^^^M-
Ij
2,
3,
When,
we remember
that the
there-
planet revolves
summer
in winter,
it
(iUA^J
Earth.
_j^
we
it
in
we
will
To
fully
planet Venus,
and
larly situated to
England upon
this earth.
may
or
sm-face of an-
may
not present
IN THE HEAVENS.
We
say?
oiu'
commmence
when
at that 23eriocl
the sun
107
own,
who
our observations
over the equator,
is
to the 21st pi
March upon
Instead of
earth.
which
were.
On
earth
it
we
its
spring
Venus
a rush, as
it
altitude
it
to its
is
midday be
in
at
summer
it
would
Upon
is,
is
is
On
earth, however,
sunlio-ht
and
COMMON SIGHTS
108
cliyicled
midday heat
This
is
to endure the
of the morrow.
Venus
it
said, is vertical at
Thus
crossed the
equator
it
would be
vertical
set at midnight,
at
and
endured
From
if
it
IN
THE HEAVEXS.
109
Thus
of spring.
for
On
we
earth
we can
set.
midday
we cannot
vertical
sun and
nor
From
period
described
at
it
its
the
small diurnal
midday,
be as rapid as
The
its
advance.
would
In one hundred
no higher than he
is
on earth
at
the
same
period.
Just as the
summer approached
rapidly, so
COMMON SIGHTS
110
in
England on
in the
of
same
some
fifty
earth,
autumn
he would be
altitude
lost sight of
A long
locality in Venus.
period
dming which
There
is
now no
stars,
and the
In
to the spring
own
and
it is difficult
Each year an
winter,
alternate
fi.fteen
from
and a
her
tropical
poles
to
summer,
within
will
about
her equator.
THE HEAYEXS.
IN
It
beings to become
who can
Venus
her
by the scent
suffer
may be
mammoths, which,
attracted
northward
the
course
vivifies
Onward they
country.
from these
there
regions
stalk,
sun in
face
of
which
the north.
is
the
During a hundred
days these
its
and
farther
but
but
equatorial
of giant
equator,
very changes
troops
for terrestrial
acclimatized in
In
Ill
its
daily circles,
to feel chill,
and darkness
Some members
away however;
it is
time to migrate.
of the
their
at midnight warns
fate
sealed,
for
the
COMMON SIGHTS
112
now a
the water
and
mammoth,
the
branches,
is
wilderness
frozen^
is
is
crunching
forced to yield
the
its life,
dried
unable to
wool-covered hide.
perishy
and
Another
shortly
his
season
retm-n,
the
of
heat,
however,
snow would be
its
thus
soil.
would
rapidly
mammoth
debris,
near some
when the
planet's condition
geologist might
speculate upon
amongst
his fellows.
IN
THE HEAVENS.
is
There again
113
an-
is
A vertical
sun raises
this
rock
split
and separate,
at length
would become
Owing
down
glaciers exist
upon
hills
earth, but
covered with
snow
iii
summer
would be
I
for
oyer
very
COMMON SIGHTS
114
powerful.
would be
earth's
rotation
Thus a whole
equator.
Venus the
liberated,
poles.
fleet
In
fifteen
nearly
all localities, to
be covered with
drift
and therefore
the north of
this,
would
each year.
Thus,
may
whatever
affect
other
local
circumstances
all,
must produce
planet
may
be
now
epoch.
An
leads to the
hundred and
much
It ap-
much
IN
THE HEAVENS,
115
It is not impro-
change of climate
may,
At
are enormous.
It has
possesses a satellite.
It
had
distinctly
and
Modern
inquuy
is
of amatem-s
little
for a
good eye, a
perseverance are
As
is
far as
decidedly
;
which
to great variations in
COMMON SIGHTS
116
Not only
as
many
neighbour Venus
is
regards
is
her
proximity and
an object of
interest,
and
IN
THE HEAVENS.
CHAPTER
117
VI.
JUPITEE.
Almost
rivalling
apparent
size,
which we
Venus
Jupiter
shall
dii^ect
is
in
brilliancy
our
This
attention.
is
he
is
is
and
at all
when
Jupiter
earth in size as
much
as the
is
by
he
far the
of an ostrich
he being nearly
is
less
the
first
five millions
is
His distance
and the
latter
nearly
COMMON SIGHTS
118
Jupiter.
The
receptability of
be very great,
for
ligM
of
he appears nearly,
one throws
his
reflected
Venus
light four
if
not
yet the
hundred
sixty
milUon miles and the other only about
seven times
million, and Jupiter is more than
as far
is
Venus.
Jupiter
may be
consequence of his
orbit, or course,
From
great brilKancy he
Sii'ius will
even
being out-
or star, unless
niglit, in
and
is
for
119
THE HEAVENS.
IX
it
be the
this
we
of
still
the
fail
to
to realize the
celestial
bodies,
and
more
forcibly
better
an
express
objects.
terrestrial
train,
when we
travelling
find that
continually,
he was
at
the
shortest
when
it
it
COMMON SIGHTS
120
when he
invisible is
when he
when he
when
If
a midnight
Jupiter
we
star,
is
not very
star.
observed as a morn-
first
is
be close to him, we
he will when he
rises
is
When
he appear so large as he
ino'
first
ing
is
have moved
be a
that
is,
each morn-
little
he
more
will
to
appear
near him.
for
several
days,
after
which he
will
and
will
amongst the
fixed
stationary during
After
stars.
remaining
is
to the right,
and he
come
stationary,
and
will
He
vvill
then be-
left.
position,
in
IN
remarkable
caused
THE
celestial
body such
as
Jupiter,
ancients to
tlie
121
HEAVE:NiS.
The movements
the planets.
of the planets
planation
is
attention
to
may
little
sketch
may
often do
we
believe, will
case
and such,
if
The
circle
orbit of Jupiter
KL
E F G;
is
the sun
is
shown
we
will
at
J.
represented by the
B A
at
C.
by the
S,
circle
and three
The
earth
is
122
CO^OIOX SIGHTS
than
is
moved
stars
to F,
fixed
and Jupiter
at
K,
star C,
and there-
fore
as regards
the
stars, to
the
left.
earth would
IN
THE HEAVENS.
have readied
G-,
Jupiter would
now appear
and
to
to
123
at L.
be close to the
star
B.
then Jupiter
move
appears to
stationary again;
moving
to the
left,
to
is
stationary
the right;
and
lastly,
when he
then he
he
then
is
he seems to be
is
hidden by the
sun's light.
and the
planet.
east, his
because this
appears to
year.
is
motion
is
left,
direction, its
is
from
When
that
moves
stars
during the
motion
is
is
COMMON SIGHTS
124
our time.
was
years
six
old
ought to be thinking of
same
life,
to be starting in
who
some
and a
ought
half,
profession.
to travel
no
less
it
than two
miles, a distance
very humorously
scribes
supposed con-
the
ditions
tell
'
me,
if
the earth be so
little
in comparison
us
?'
Indeed I believe
not,' says I
yet this
you
if
less
'for if
we
than he appears
we may reasonably
conjecture,
that
are
astronomers
they have
made most
there
may have
discovered a
planet in the
THE HEAVENS.
IN
125
them
at
if
they
Imow
not
for fools
of destroying
fear
may be
opinions.
own
theii'
little
cm^ious
little
no vision
year
that
and
know
now
it
after a
it
assured
it
is
has a motion
thousand observa-
a world
is
though so
"
'
It
little
must be
astronomers of
that
it is
scarcely discoverable.'
both
planets
'
to see the
levelling
their
world
is
that
What
people inhabit
'
know
suspect
us
it
is
that
is,
they
for
it ?'
though they
may
'
iSTot
may
may
COMMON SIGHTS
126
If
we were
"
it.'
heavens
we should
this line
rather
this line.
above,
little
fijid
and
at
that Jupiter
He
is
is
never
at times just
equally below
others
from
it
being
of the sun.
Upon
disc.
hood there
be seen
four,
or fewer, little
from that of a
star.
If these
as
themselves.
When
a telescope
is
IN
THE HEAYENS.
moon
as does the
and
127
tlie
as
satellites,
the
AVe
telescope,
he
is
seen
and secondly,
of the satellites.
One
of the
first facts
he turns upon
An
which
by
upon
this
his axis,
examination of several
is,
minutes
is
exceeds
The duration
of the
light
on board
ship.
128
commo:n^ sights
It
supposed that
is
if
is
same
which causes
force
is
it
on
matters in order.
Some amusing
made
of Jupiter, in conse-
surface
of course
by the
cat
find
it
would be enormous.
on
higher
earth,
v>'e
by
ought
also
jump
;
would
field,
how much
crafty
equatorial
effectually
scientific friends.
might we
portion of the
which
So
certain theories,
to
foxhunter,
sup-
As
"pound*'
his
less
THE HEAYEXS.
iX
we know not
valuable, for
129
those
effects
any of
the
to predict
of conditions
for
we
are but
where we see
of a law,
know
not
the
its
successions
effects only,
of
effects
which
The
various
atlbrd
slight
and
between the
scarcely
any change of
is
difference
less
is
of Jupiter
alti-
this difference
amounts to
The
equatorial
degrees.
COMMON SIGHTS
130
hotter
south,
whilst
his
eternally frozen, or
There
may
be,
polar
north
regions
are
either
and probably
or
frost.
conditions
are,
fit
of beings possessed of
it for
the residence
much
of the sun.
vation,
the
in
In addition
to the spots
which serve to
indi-
all parallel to
same direction
lie across
as his equator
him from
east to west.
that
is,
they
all
IX
THE HEATEXS.
131
there were
seem upon
belts
and
Jupiter,
Thus the
atmosphere.
belts
They
pearance, or yanish.
change their
also
seem
at
a23-
times
There
two darker
lines; but
it is
is
bv
It
is
a matter of conjec-
of fluid
somewhat similar
satisfactory
is
Jupiter remain
yet
to
water
kno^Mi,
subjects
for
lone tracks
but nothing
and the
belts
speculation
of
and
observation.
Of
late
upon
Jupiter.
During the
Like the
interest has
belts,
how-
COMMON SIGHTS
132
serve to remind us
how
little
we yet know
of
A^'orlds
purpose
for
phenomena, remain
We may
explain.
twelve hours
and
we cannot
predict the
benefit of society
is
to
tell for
for
and the
made
is
When
in science within
a few cen-
we
shall
of prediction
and perhaps,
have been
dis-
IX
THE HEAVENS.
133
so long
Jupiter with
I
noticed a
and
below his
ties
of the
From
poles.
axis
were two
there
extremi-
the
streams
comet,
chverging
planet,
and plainly
as
power,
singular
they receded
of
tail
of a
from
the
The
light
ap-
&st supposed
some defect
that this
like
an
aurora.
having
ele-
screw to
the
move the
observed
light.
Having performed
this
COMMON SIGHTS
134
and not
friends
tory,
mth
Fortunately two
the telescope.
to the observa-
at
same appearance
magnitude, no such
effect
was
observation
that I have
ever
atmosphere
was
observations,
and
seen.
few
nights
after,
the
was
re-examined.
Instead
of
there
still
now
a,ppeared a
much more
perpoles,
feeble,
but
and consequently
sufficiently
remarkable
to be recorded.
It
may
whether
be
very
might not be
consideration
question
for
brilliant
au-rora
seen, if there
on
earth
were an observer
IN
THE HEAYEXS.
135
bore a strong
paradox.
How
December,
show the
June
March,
and
September,
^872
/1861
1869^
etc.,
dates.
Remember
that the
136
sun
C03IM0N SIGHTS
is
may
Jupiter's
season.
and Jupiter
will
be south at noon,
be south shortly
Thus Jupiter
and
will
Where
in
will Jupiter
March 1862 ?
set.
at noon,
then at 6 p.m.
in the direction S,
t\i11
be
invisible,
THE HEATEXS.
I^'
In December 1870,
at 11
p.3I.,
137
Jupiter would
bodies
move
Jupiter
from two
is
celes-
each night,
whether Jupiter
Iniow
to be seen at
to the left
we may always
become
is
will
where he
is
any hom\
attended by
to three
foiu'
thousand miles
in
diameter
largest.
lution of these
satellite,
moons
miles
The most
Jupiter,
yet
Jupiter in less
although
fi'om
half hours.
round
is
it
is
than seventeen
more than
a million miles
days,
from
him.
These
satellites
move round
Jupiter;
and
COMMON SIGHTS
138
is
passed over by
Thus during
satellites
The
fourth, or
most distant
the only
satellite, is
him.
by
will witness
eclipses
at the
The
variable
rate
of
first
size
satellite
that our
we can
to be
moon appears
moons
still
they ought to
celestial object
moon.
movement
which
these moons
THE HEAYEXS.
IX
must
aftorcl
ample
astronomers
Jovian
the
139
the
eclijDses of
to
in order, supposing
discovered
and of the
the sim
the
and
satellites
that
cause
of
yet
move-
The echpses
of
Jupiter's
by him, and
aftord the
his
''
their
satelhtes,
surface,
occulted
they them-
" as it is called,
means
shown by
may
at
'
Xautical Al-
re-
him
to
world.
'^
Price
2s.
Gd.
may
any part
take
of the
COMMON SIGHTS
140
The
following
is
FEBEUARY.
*^*
The
Oe. D.
I.
Ec. R.
I.
Tr.
s.
21 23
53 18-5
18 36
I.
II.
Oc. D.
18 44
[I.
Oc.D.
19 32
I.
Sh.
19 56
I.
Tr. E.
20 49
II.
Oc. E.
21 20
I.
Oc. Occultation.
Shadow.
m.
h.
d.
I.
D. Disappearance.
Ec.
Eclipse.
Sh. Transit of
K. Reappearance.
I.
Ingress.
E. Egress.
The year
is
of course
the
month
The
the
occulted
1st
satellite
behind Jupiter.
is
is
I.
The time
indicated by the 1
d.
21
is
shown
as
and disappears
of this occurrence
hrs.
23 min.
that
is,
IN
February,
of
1st
satellite
THE HEAVENS.
Greenwich
time,
an
of
is
The time
first
phenomena
the
would disappear.
when Jupiter
141
is
eclipse or occupation
would
Id. 12
m.
h.
s.
that
the
is,
12,
mid-
night.
It
is
and
way country
by the
is
aid of
least four
The
it
satellite,
hundred million
four
distant
from us
at
miles.
terres-
when viewed
But the
sight of sights
must be
COMMON SIGHTS
142
From
first satellite.
be
moon.
satellite,
upon the
satellites to
Our
be nearly
telescopes,
how-
satellites
nearest to Jupiter
is
much
brighter
case there
is
Thus
sunlight only.
it is
is
the
its
means
of light-
and
in the system
any bodies
to the
amount
of light wliicli a
THE HEAYENS.
its
143
mean
distance
The Jovian
variations in brightness,
size.
The
third satellite
to
that which
is
light
was
less
other moons.
are spots
is
almost
made
great
are subject to
satellites
was found
upon the
satellites,
the different
as the
M. Cassini
sphere.
could
in
as
it
passed
shadow of the
across the
surrounded by an atmo-
satellite
little
upon
Hence he concluded
it
first
surface
of
were clearly
was surrounded by an atmosphere which possessed considerable refractive power, which thus
COMMON SIGHTS
144
decrease,
if
satellite's
shadow.
rect,
and these
satellites
pendent atmosphere,
are in a
it
do possess an inde-
moon; and
attendants,
may
secondary
members
its
which
are
passing
fit
them
to
animal
life,
and
at last to receive
upon
their
The
found to
differ,
light.
Sir
is
satellite
The
was of an orange-red
colour.
Later observers
of a
yellowish
is
of a bluish,
colour,
whilst
IX
that of the
first
THE HEATEyS.
and second
145
inclines towards
blue.
exact science
recorded
ancient
ao-ree
with the
o
rect.
this
There
is
is,
which
may be
assume that
to
observations
of
called
all
the
which do not
incor-
universe
dence
to
the
Geology especially
contrary.
dif-
and
is
predecessor
its
it
is
rolling
grandly therein.
heccaise
they differ
in
those
bodies
which have
been ex-
COMMON SIGHTS
146
amined
may
be wrong.
is
We
this ?
no change
can
but our
however, we reject
If,
we
us,
investigation
some of the
modern
The
most
discoveries
of
times.
of
satellites
going most
cause
important
to
important
their
light
In
tensity.
the
may
Jupiter
may
changes, which
to vary in
days
be under-
of
colour and
Sir
W.
in-
Herschel
may
reflect
It is these
small
changes,
which
deny
facts
if
see, is
may
differ
a proceeding
to
THE HEAVENS.
IN
EDgland
demonstrate that
147
had
never
been
we had
and reappearances
it
of
be found
will
until they
side,
seem
bright.
distinct
become
him.
Then
as
him.
their
approach
continue
When
shadow
of Jupiter
and they
may
be easily understood
by an
EFG
the
COMMON SIGHTS
148
earth's orbit,
K L the
orbit of Jupiter
the
satellites.
If the
earth were
at
and
J H.
As the
satelKte
moved
it
would then
it
sun,
IX
THE EEATEXS.
ho^veve^,
it
first
at
find
Jupiter
at
some
at
little
(fig.
now
disappear
when
it
2),
thus
it
distance
side.
and the
K X.
The
as before
would
dis-
had cleared
We
it
This same
it
become visible
as
it
it
Jupiter's shadow,
would
149
as will
line
EC
is
when
it
was thus
lost sight
from Jupiter,
far the
when
it
it
became
visible,
and therefore
it
would be
Thus
appears before
it
COMMON SIGHTS
150
close to liim.
In the
close to him,
and reappears
instance
first
at
disappears
it
some distance
from him.
In consequence of the
some instances
move
also
having in
satellites
and to
when
when
during a
invisible
When
shadow
-the
is
must be in a straight
line,
and
localities
midnight.
nearest satellite
is
At
at this period
terrestrial
all
this
period
two hours
same
shadow
his
wiU be
his
satellite
and a
half.
The
served to
nature
reveal
viz.,
a very interesting
have
law of
IN THE HEAYEXS.
medium which
exists
between
151
the
yarioas
hio-h
Francis Bacon.
much more
It
was
problems
it is
like
most other
it.
To show how
some time
it is
to trayerse space,
simple illustration
Suppose
known
we
will take a
the position of
that
is
COMMON SIGHTS
152
and
Jupiter,
at exactly the
Now
the earth.
let
rate, let
same
exactly the
two bodies
instant,
and
be exact counterparts of
satellite
and
each other.
AVhen the
same
would the
instant
satellite
be eclipsed at
Now
and
let us
satellite
moved
in the direction of
same
we now found
satellites at
taneously,
light
was
it
and
that at D,
some time
it
its
earth,
of
its
as before.
infinite
satellite at
and
satellite's
If
slowly
if,
however,
we saw
that the
to pass
from
to A.
light occupied
If
we knew
IN
the distance
THE HEAVENS.
know the
AD
153
and
of light.
velocity
at
D, we at once
For
instance, if
The
light.
true velocity
being
this,
nearly
is
much
twelve
greater than
miles
million
minute.
As an
additional
example
to
illustrate the
when
B, a
gun
w^as fired
same
instant.
we should
towards
B moved away
would arrive
A and
and B,
at the
find that as
gun
fired
from
from
gun
fired
same
result.
The
COMMON SIGHTS
154
considerably
lie is
nearest
is
when he
farthest
and
passes the
when near
thus,
number
is
by the
and the
lio-ht.
means
PL6.
MARS.
"^Sncent Brooks.IiLK.
IN
155
THE HEAVENS.
CHAPTER
VII.
MARS.
LARGE
in a portion of the
from that
heavens different
in
Mars.
likely to be
and which
set, is
In consecjuence
most
of this
and
will
it
is
is
appear
because then he
is
much
its
motion.
brighter
at
He
when due
closely than
as
tant
about
nearest to us
fifty
:
million
miles
thus an express
he
is
when he
disis
train, travelling
would
COMMON SIGHTS
156
and
twenty years.
Mars
is
being rather
less
is
often a
Placed
appear as below
EARTH
mars]
We
hibits phases,
visible
when
invariably
like
moon, and
the
fully illuminated,
is
never
whilst Jupiter
Mars,
is
is
moon
of the "full."
visible to
us,
because
The
we
IX THE HEATEXS.
obtain a side view of
157
planet wlien he
tlie
sun
is
the
is
we cannot
see
any part
As
not illuminated.
is
The year
nearly
is
When
a telescope
of
moderate
manent, and
Cjuite
power
spots
are
many of these
distinct.
is
ob-
are per-
They appear
in
we were
that
know
that
sal
Mars partakes
movement.
an
UjDon
able to tell
axis,
we
also
alter-
minutes.
COMMON SIGHTS
158
Thus
his
The
upon
spots
different
sun
There
is
variation
the
in altitude
winter
it
is
forty-seven degrees.
Amongst the
surface of Jupiter.
teresting
facts
various in-
is
has
re-
in
all
have
thus that
alternate
That there
is
and
upon
every
experienced on Mars
circumstance
their
winter
that
may be shown by
around
season
his
appear
poles
brilKant
is
the
during
white
IN
spots,
as
Tvhich
THE HEAVENS.
have
fairly
159
been
The
accumulations of snow.
upon
looked
spot around
winter
and
approaches,
^yinter.
When
the
largest
is
spring and
mid-
at
summer
ap-
midsummer
it
north pole.
Thus,
is
apparent
is
in
become
as
brilliant
any other
and
as they
it
is
reasonable to
is
It
summer
the snow
is
is
not
more than
same
pole.
six or seven
This
is
really
COMMON SIGHTS
160
that which
alterna-
and
summer
for in
day about
five
rises to us,
and
less altitude
at
Mars extend
rise at
he would be at a
Thus the
by the
sun,
arctic circle
would in
half, whilst
mid-
same quantity.
summer he would
our
arctic
to twenty-three degrees
circle
and
reaches only
poles.
It
is
world,
can
observe
the
may
mild winters.
at such
critic, as
would
realized.
Who
much
shall ven-
means
of
IN
THE HEAVENS.
161
of forces as far
communicating agent
is
methods of telegraphing, or
signalling,
known
It
was
beyond the
now, however,
it is
we
telegraph, for
by which
to speak.
the future
mains
for
it is
may
Who
reveal,
unborn generations
to glean
re-
COMMON SIGHTS
162
CHAPTEE
VIII.
SATURN.
We
we
are acquainted.
brilliant
object in the
when the
telescope
is
used, Saturn
becomes
Nearly spherical in
of
which
not known.
is
him there
is
not touch
him
in
any
a material substance.
or " ring " as
eight
Extending around
it
is
seems to be
In addition to
this hoop,
His
size
PI. 7.
JUPITEPu
and
liis
Satellites
"feiceiit Brooks.litJi
SATUR^^
and
Ms E in^
IN
also is considerable,
163
THE HEAVENS.
system.
seen in
is
all parts of
much
may be
which consequently
former bodies
may
is,
thus Saturn
may
at midnight.
what
it
may
heavens,
we
if
Saturn
is
years.
No
amateur to
aid the
find
him
in the
to be
comprehend the
sketch,
the sun
four
positions
show
COMMON SIGHTS
164
and
June,
How
Saturn
may
September.
At twelve
Ncfv^l861
1870
Saturn's Positions.
December,
is
due south
sequently
therefore,
would be south
would be
sun
con-
at midnight.
is
seen on the
left.
being
THE HEATEXS.
IX
165
As
all
move from
east towards
remember
the
south,
the
we have merely
to
Thus
in three hom's.
if
a body
it
will
is
known
to
be found in
Xine
1862.
six P.M.
p.3I.
to
know
would point
in
that direction
at
that
hour.
1862, he would be a
An
little
where
to find
Saturn
show
and
Saturn
is
much
COMMON SIGHTS
166
his year
is
mortal, therefore,
terrestrial
three
would barely
summers
a resident
to terrestrial con-
live long
for if
if
enough to see
old,
still
according to the
years of Saturn.
In
s|)ite
planet,
still
rapidity, his
Thus a
day
terrestrial
and
and
as
The ring
it
and
forty minutes.
We
planets
and
satellites
shine
that
all
the
only in conse-
IN
THE HEAVENS.
167
this
ring of Saturn
is
for the
distinctly visible
it is
found,
visible
is
only
shadow of the
Also
it
and thus
ring,
it
We
known
is
by
have spoken of
reflected light.
tJie
consists
of
The extreme
is
upwards of
forty-eight
sand
is
five
is
its
From
The
it
thousand
thickness
fifty miles.
COMMON SIGHTS
168
we sometimes
In the
to
shown the
dia-
we have
earth.
It will there
will
it
will
be in
its
made
as to
One
of
satellites
were strung
much
is
larger than he
is
James
Cassini.
comet's
tail
169
THE HEATEXS.
IX
the
to
itself
In ahnost
made
all
in con-
one preliminaiy
is
that
viz.,
ring was
the
pendage of Satm^n.
ring
is
ther,
solid
at
not a
and we
number
of
now know
tail of
the
a comet
speculations
an absence of
Within the
facts
it
more
worthless,
are
untenable fi^om
is
it
far
is
upon which
few years
last
that the
than the
least
We
to
base
it.
from the
others.
well ascertained
inasmuch
as
it
and
This
it
is
is
to separate
a fact tolerably
an interesting one,
some
mem-
is
examined
COMMON SIGHTS
170
belts
do not run
across the
The
fact
which
Saturn
is
or satellites,
ferent distances.
little
liim at dif-
to
him
moon
is
from
us,
and
it
is
his
moves
Owing
to the dis-
Saturn
is
we observe
is
a good one.
THE HEAYEXS.
IN
CHAPTEE
171
IX.
Beyoxd
tance from
far
tlie
exceed in
these, Uranus,
size
own
our
One
earth.
and
is
of
in about
distant upwards
The
other,
and
sixty-five
from which he
is
move round
distant about
the sun,
two thousand
From
with
common
telescopes
observer
for unless
examined
with
satellites,
probably with
many;
eight,
COMMON SIGHTS
172
We
it
have mentioned
primary
Thus the
itself rotates.
if
to
east
that
from
is,
satellites
of
move around
from west
move round
right to left
but from
left
to right if seen
left
B,
it
when
it
satellite
revolve round
him from
would
of Jupiter, a
If
(^
A.
left to
Thus if
to east
now we were
to
Thus
it
would
round Jupiter.
Jupiter's disc
and
still
S down
keep the
IN
we should
to B, C,
THE HEAVENS.
and
over to our
173
move thus
from A
east, or
/
A-
from
is,
to B, C,
and
(lower figure)
that
hence
left or right
hand
tm-ned towards
The
satellites
us.
of
Uranus appear
in
this
it
were, hori-
174
COMMON SIGHTS
would appear
to
retrograde, as
move from
it is
termed
east to west, or
to
been allowed
to
east, or direct.
Some
exist
in
these bodies,
some
Aviiters
movements of
with that of
all
other satellites.
The
fact
is,
directed
is
We
the sun
solar
moved
left
each day
neither
move
in
sometimes they
will
IX
hand
THE HEAYEXS.
175
rotation,
left-
is
even be said
It cannot
tui^ned to-
Uranus
is
is
an un-
the most
as well
was in an excentric
position,
a half desTees
was sometimes
In
vertical,
tiny earth as a
assume
all
fact, it is
model of
own
and
perfection,
to
is
admh-ably suited to
constitution,
its
it
now
its
and where
it
atoms
it
is,
has
at pre-
will maintain
COMMON SIGHTS
176
will
show the
relative
The
How Uranus
may
is
the orbit
Thus,
would not be
visible
IX
THE HEAYEXS.
177
About
1883
to
Uranus
18S6,
will be
found to the
commencement
and not
night,
from
]\rarch;
visible in
December
or
Xovem-
ber.
Xeptune
will
3Iarch, or April,
years
for the
months
best
for the
for
examining
this
remote planet
Mercuey.
At
hundred and
brilliant red-coloured
body
The body
cury,
to wliich
which
is
we
refer
situated at a
is
mean
distance of
star,
COMMON SIGHTS
178
but
it
will
be looked
for.
This
must
which
little planet,
it
is
year of Mercury
is
Thus the
if
we
lived to be sixty
in the system.
Mercury
all
rotates
upon an
axis,
It is
five
localities,
all
Thus, in consequence of
but
little
THE HEAVENS.
IX
179
re-
to
gions;
quick
abundantly in our
coal-fields.
possess a soil
and an atmosphere at
If then ilercury
little
planet
all
analo-
we might suppose
now engaged
was
in
coaling.
It has
Mercury
sometimes shows.
Like
many
this j^l^^et
other delicate
some
ob-
Mercury
is
when
it
appears a romid
sort of atmosphere.
COMMON SIGHTS
180
The passage
is
called
During the
viz.
in
1868
Nov.
4.
1878
May
6.
1881
Nov.
7.
1891
May
9.
1894
Nov.
10.
1901
Nov.
4.
The planet
will
therefore
its
and
spot in consequence of
motion
to
spot
the rapidity of
its
?] 8
CONSTELLATIOKS.
d
ai e
fe/
IiQ.2.
leg. 4.
a^a Betelgeux
.
l3."b
Q. c.
d. d
e .e
f -f
Saipli
li."h
Oi-ioTislDelt.
Siciiis
Gr.G.
ilitf el
Tjeflatrdx
i^t^. 2.
.
^Mdebaran
3
ei ajd.e3
^^orth ern Cro^vn
Pointers
ai The
l.l.Tega or alYTse
1.2. The Pole Star.
13. CapeHa
4.4 The Great Bear.
.
Cassiopeia.
Tig.
IN
THE HEAYENS,
CHAPTEE
181
X.
To
tlie
stars
appear
and
to
very
differ in
colours vary,
bo easily recognized.
which
star if seen
from
one of them.
the fixed
stars,
to
stars.
The
fixed
COMMON SIGHTS
182
stars,
name
as the
they do,
it
is
Hence a group
members do
various
positions.
If the stars be
year,
it will
be seen in various
dmdng one
which we
Some
may
bril-
observe
From
stars,
the heavens.
most prominent in
to
we can with
IN
of the earth
THE HEAVENS.
for if there
183
would
to us
known by name.
and
if
names
were to
tell
moving from
seen
be
about as
would
and instructive
interesting
as
So
far
be,
mind
the probable
its
course
movement
in
we
of others of which
we have
read,
COMMON SIGHTS
184
For
it.
it
really appears as
some
to,
We
though individuals
will first
mere
its
outline.
endeavour to explain
some
stars
it is
and
also
the
why
after
were
year.
A
view
moment's
is
is
may be
Then
all,
however, that
let
is
above
seen.
Suppose
the line
of this
HOE would
person,
and
all
;
T ES
AP
and X, would
IN
all
P would
be visible from 0.
head,
185
THE HEAVENS.
be nearly over-
than T.
P
TRSA
-^^
Jiiii/
when
by the
his horizon
line
P Q
IT,
would be represented
From
the position Q^
much
higher than T.
X which
was seen
Thus T
and Q.
The
at 0,
T.
T was
^vould be seen
from both
was above
COMMON SIGHTS
186
fact,
different direction at
it
pointed at Q.
T E SA
If
The
and
stars
and Q,
from 0.
moving around
according to
the time
of year.
or
\Mien the
A being above
Hence there
are
T.
some
stars
from certain
localities,
in the heavens
Amono' the
The
IX
Pole-st^ir
THE HEAYEXS.
187
The
constellatiou
Alpha
the
Aiirigae,
At other times
it is
lowest,
it will
and
be found
Alpha Cygni
is
adopted
is
given
the method to be
Uranus, &c.
member
is
is
re-
the sun
to
By remembering
Allien
star,
the
The sun
is
shown
dia-
COMMON SIGHTS
188
For
which
stars are to
Cassiopeia.
o.
Andromeda.
Alpha CygnL
is
is,
at midnight,
in
At about
9 P.M. at the
same
season, a Persei
south.
Stars
seen
IN THE HEAYEXS.
tliey
189
were near
tlie
p. M,,
Cassiopeia
and
Andromeda
about midnight.
because
England.
at this period,
in
and
visible,
it is
the morning.
Thus,
at
midnight
at
by remembering
in
In March,
at
EegTdus
3
A.:\r.
about 6
at
them
Arcturus
a.:j:.
south
is
and
Yega and
the
at 6 p.3i.
at 9
p.:m.
at about
Xorthern crown;
Ako
Altair.
at
mid-
Yega
in the east,
and
rising,
sketch of some
of stars
is
shown
in
COMMON SIGHTS
190
Plate
that they
so
8,
may
be recognized by
their forms.
may
be
it
is
stars.
Then
if
a line be drawn
will
pass
close to
a bright star
this
called
Capella.
A
will,
line
if
called
Vega
or
Alpha Lyrse
thus Capella,
If a line be
IN
THE HEAVENS.
191
when
The
in
its
splendour.
belt of Orion
easily recognized,
is
another constellation
on the opposite
Sirius
line,
is
we
and Eigel.
Then
on which
named Aldebaran.
star
named
At about one-thuxl
turus to
small
Vega we
stars,
large star
of the distance
is
from Arc-
This
large.
direction
of a
line
is
the
few minutes'
heavens
any evening
individual to
and
attention
know some
will
directed to
soon
enable
the
an
any time of
tlie
COMMON SIGHTS
192
The
year.
theu^
Pole-star.
There
is
When
we
sun,
may
be similar
dered amidst so
stand insjDired
we
is
reflect
much
may
grandeur, and
with veneration
and
awe
insignificance
well
if
com-
"Wlien
we
midnight heavens,
what
obvious use;
Have
all
but
is
it
their
is
their
most
only purpose?
is
THE HEAVENS.
IX
193
for the
purpose of casting
at rare intervals a
Such a
us.
that
we
self-
and
originality
really exists.
As
far as
facts, it is
member
is a solitary
of om*
sup-
many
without a com-
is still
It is probable that
he would
and
would appear
advanced
to
indicate
and
state,
in creation there
is
to one system
a higher or more
at least to
an endless
remind us that
variety, both as
COMMON SIGHTS
194
Like most
ment
us.
novelties,
compared
who
stall.
Now
and thus
other,
alter
their
relative
star is a mis-
nomer.
The
Bear
to
tliird
from the
a double star
is
move
other,
star
tail of
the Great
fifty
years
the Pole-star,
Hercules, and
double
Bootis,
y Virginis, a
stars,
are
Ti.d.
DOTIBLE STARS
/3
CjoTd
.3a Geminoruin
2 S Bootis
'n
Cassiopeia.
(Telescopic)
b/x Saoittaiii
Polai^is
7.
51 Iibrce.
Arcturus
be able to
is
IN THE HEAVENS.
195
now
find.
more
to the north-
definitely speaking,
we
towards Vega,
turus
Miraeh, which
is
find a
star
called
stars
and quadruple
of triple
pearing single
stars
the
star
apeye,
By
nomers
it
be getting
brilliant
dim,
whilst
vv^as
some appear
stars
times
is
brightness
more
have
dis-
are
others
Some
than formerly.
appeared entu^ely, as
it
astro-
taken.
it
was
said
In modern
dming
pying from
certain periods,
five to ten
some occu-
COMMON SIGHTS
196
their
same
The
of.
scope,
is
stars,
and the
existing
become
stars, if
beautiful
between them.
diversity
colour
of
can then be
Some
tinge
is
possessed
by one
Com^
The prevaiKng
is
a rosy
companion
with
Berenicis.
of the
star, its
same colour
It is
light,
now appear
of
IN
a change of
THE HEAVENS.
some kind
197
every
occuiTing in
we examine the
tha.t
present time
there
earliest ages
has been
we
to the
one continued
We may
per-
these rocks
Again,
we
find that
a subsequent epoch
the
numerous
earth was
class of the
still
untenanted by a
animal creation
monarchs of the
being
still
earth,
plain, forest,
of vast
and reigned
and river
an unknown creature in
then
man
this planet.
men
peopled the
COMMON SIGHTS
198
tract ed,
steam,
limited.
knowledge of
his
electricity,
If a
tele-
photography,
and
subjects
Thus we
find
characteristics.
onward movement
in
been one
become trimmed
so as to
more nearly
ap-
minds by which
hended.
his
When we
find
which disappeared, changed theu^ colour, appeared or are variable, we are induced to reflect
THE HEAVENS.
IN
199
of these
own
have presented
least probable
different
at
that vfhen a
may
times.
It
some change
at
is
changes
star
Perhaps
that star.
dition in
is
earth might
its
of con-
atmosphere
its
some other
body;
celestial
magnetic
condition
varied, or
the body
various epochs
and
of
the
the
may be
electrical
star
may have
passing through
in rapid succession,
or
own
much
in
planet passed
is
most interesting
this
completed.
To know
that
is
common sights
200
Nebulae.
An
with
unaided
the
eye,
perceive
to
several
If a telescope of even
star.
will
it
merely of an
be
accumulation
of
small
stars
When
the
telescope
is
dnected to various
many
unaided eye.
if
With the
some
of
the
resolved as it is
so-called
termed
Nebulae
that
is,
have
been
There are
still,
:pi.iO.
:NrEBrx^
I.
2.
In Hercules.
Aitinous.
,,
3.
4<.
In Cassiopeia. o.DumLBell
,,
Andromeda.
6.
In Lyra.
Mupeada.
IX
THE HEAYEXS.
201
An
observer
small telescope
resolve
baran
some
is
find that he
is
able to
Alde-
There are
COMMON SIGHTS
202
CHAPTEK
XI.
COMETS.
The most
The
certainly comets.
we can
planets
readily
of
some kind.
When, however, we
sin-
fitted for
and
it
would be no
economy of the
In ancient times,
and
believe, that
it
universe.
state
and they
Pl.ll.
COMETS
1 Encke's
2.
Comet
of 18
IX
THE HEAVENS.
203
visitors
assumed
Some
conveyed
to
In
evil.
were supspirits
some
of
special
to be that of Paradise.
of the ancient
philosophers behaved
is
classes, viz.,
reap-
whose course
is
visits
are
therefore imcertain.
There are
is
when compared
to
which gleam
some
for a
204
C03I3ION SIGHTS
Comets
become
first
visible to us in a variety
of ways.
who night
may
appearance from a
this
its
of the heavens,
at length perceive
differs slightly in
An
star.
examination of
may show
that
and that
it is
fact resulting
from
fixed stars.
this discovery
The
would
be,
an observer
to decide
had discovered.
the sun,
more
it
each
distinct
it
become visible
distinct
If the
night,
and would
When
soon
thus
tween
tion
The mere
portion.
might not
this
at
first
comet and a
would soon
casual
observer
shovv^
star
but a
little atten-
IX THE HEAYEXS.
If the
the two.
a remarkable,
it
heavens.
from
205
distinctly seen a
it
is
termed, and
approach
of in
sight
This brilliant
rapidity,
consequence
The above
to the sun.
and
is
of
at
its
description of
when a comet
is
seen as
it
approaches the
sun.
With the
aid of a
diagram we
will
now show
why they
why some
sun,
and
large size.
The earth
travels
at
COMMON SIGHTS
206
round
know
not where.
then travels
it,
of our sight,
we
The
respective courses of a
may
following diagram
As
Np
^(
xy
of a comet's orbit,
earth's orbit
z represents
which
may
a portion
extend to one
x^
be seen, as
it
would
it
set
when
would be
so close to the
immediately after
sun that
and thus on
it,
visible.
y and
\^o
If
z^
it
Then
as the
comet
THE HEAYEXS.
IX
moved
to
z,
207
It
would be travelling
at the point
comet was
in
its
at x, then
tinctly
visible,
south
about
it
orbit
when
the same
dis-
AThen
earth
the
we
Viliether
see a
long period, as
it
comet
distinctly
approaches or
and
for a
moves from
and the
comet.
Any
or acquainted Y^ith
mathematics or astronomy,
can draw a
circle,
make
mark
then
if it
to
be
C03IM0X SIGHTS
208
is visible
to^Yard,
in
and
any part
is
moving
it
is
likely to
move
to.
For
month
we can
draw a
circle
V'C
jST
the sun,
tember,
At
THE HEAYEXS.
IN
209
direction
EC.
there-
or
sim,
for if it increased in
once that
it
comet
approaching
if
either as
by the
lowed,
C T
line
This
31 or
Whichever course
P.
at
would move
sun
the
line
it
know
it
fol-
to the earth,
in
object
observed.
it
upon
C T
its
P,
we should probably
from C to
travelled
the
it
clearly
sun, for as
when
only
it
comet pur-
we
also
had
towards P.
should see
first
and round
than when
If the
indicated by
see
the heavens
M,
it
was
moved awav
COMMON SIGHTS
210
If in
moved on from
from
this
comet would be
shown by X. Then
in the direction
at
as the earth
towards S,
would soon be
it
view in consequence of
its
lost to
approach to the
sun.
when
this
call
is
the
case
it
may
be
is
comets
last brilliant
may
be seen in
Some very
xlny
is
likely to
in the heavens,
by drawing a
circle,
and placing
IN
THE HEAVENS.
211
it
may
pursue.
were
the planets
were
C T
moving
M, because
P,
this
move round
it
is
the sun.
would be said
is
to
If
have a
sun with a
it
is
retro^
course
its
When
is
it is
visible in
is
likely
any
length of time.
We may
sketch that
for
it,
and
Such a position
as
D,
for instance,
would pre-
whole course.
COMMON SIGHTS
212
may visit
tliey
tail.
is
quite trans-
parent.
is
either
opaque
or solid.
It is believed to
sun
so that, whichever
moving,
it
way
its
Hence
precedes
the
its
"
taiV
is
it,
but
solid or
a misnomer; for a
tail of
tail after
may be
a comet
to follow
tail
;
never
whereas
from
thus, a
tails,
an
apparent
THE HEAVENS.
IN
usual turned
all
213
but the other,
cometary etiquette,
of our system.
Many
comet has
it
several
were
distinct
five
or six
tails.
The
and
size
some large
tail,
tails
vice versa.
There are three comets in particular which belong exclusively to our solar system, and which
return at regular
known
intervals.
These pre-
The
are called,
first
is
named
brated astronomer.
The
their orbits,
viz.,
who
Encke and
first
named
calculated
Biela.
Encke's
orbit of
COMMON SIGHTS
214
Mercury on one
side,
its
diameter
first,
very
is
when
that
much
smaller
comet
is
composed.
there
it
is
Thus,
its orbit
when we
to
ob-
These two
facts
have of course
upon the
results
to the various
We
will
members
now
of the system.
and
Among
IX
viz.,
that they
THE HEAYENS.
come
215
as messengers of evil, or
A messenger
tail
spirits to
with
testify that
economy
Another supposition
comets
as to the use of
central luminary
and thus
'
light.
or,
in other
it
was
as-
and
which,
losses
;"
sort of fire,
was supposed
seem absurd.
ISTow,
keep
it
is
on
going.
fire,
or that
Such a theory
it
it
to grant
requii'es
also
might
would leave
COMMON SIGHTS
216
it ?
comet
swered.
seriously
an-
do they pro-
inquiry.
The
speculations
of
in Paris,
could run
when a
it
large
comet became
market
visible
price,
in
the
heavens.
collision is
much more
in character with
order,
everywhere
visible.
THE HEAVENS.
IN
it
movements
21
upon the
effect
When
spoken
of,
assumed
is
it
its
orbit,
comet
that the
is
is
the planet
still
it is
<
wliilst
Are we warranted
chance ?
is
it
is
left to
them
A planet,
may happen ?
may have
an attracting power
may
from the
at such a distance
a repelling
and though
at
certain distances a
to
a planet,
as well as
still,
if
is
possible, nay,
have an use
it
away
into
for
they
unknown
COMMON SIGHTS
218
may
be
planets
thro\^Ti off
dustmen, in fact
celestial
wliieli
is
who come
such as to require
presence
From
when
self-
may
luminary, and
may
travel to another
may be
another where
it
may
we have spoken
planet Jupiter,
it
Thus when
be required.
of as visiting
is
which
may have
a definite des-
it
is
when once
the affinity of
composed towards
For example.
THE HEAVENS.
IN
a comet
for
may
state,
when
219
it
reaches a certain
it
The comet
at-
of Encke,
this
less
more
This orbit
elliptical orbit.
is
decreasing
is
gradually as-
planet.
and
w^e shall at
a planet, as
particulars
it
will
then
diifer in
no essential
elliptical
orbit.
The
fact of the
its
journey
we term
space
that
is,
is
filled
resisti7ig
medium.
this fluid
Hence
it
has
COMMON SIGHTS
220
been supposed
sisting
tliat,
all
all
moons upon
their primaries,
bumping
and knockino*
a2:ainst
each other.
trifling
we
preliminaries
this disastrous
The
belief of the
medium
facts
and
arises
existence of a resisting
suppositions.
a law
of motion
if
a material
direction, a
It
is
movement
will take
that
place,
and continue
So
for
also,
move
to
at the
same
rate
medium
to oppose
fore there
is
a resisting medium."
it.
there-
This rea-
THE HEAVENS.
IN
when
age,
cause
and
were but
effect
when hypothesis
studied,
221
rested
little
upon theory,
sur-
to protect the
figui^es
now be
as
to
that all
first
place, are
we
we
If
sisting
medium
rests
upon a guess
whereas a
facts.
way
we
locality
and
that
beyond the
it
resisting
medium.
consequence of
its
diameter de-
COMMON SIGHTS
222
creases
are
the comet to
gaseous
and
it,
cause
solid
and
cometary in
less
may
not,
less
we then
constitution
its
Such a
its
mechanics as interpreted by us
and the
take
its
an
elliptical.
It is always
theories
an advantage
to
have a choice of
much more
collision,
trust
agreeable to reflect
confusion,
and
destruction,
pardon the
is
so
upon than
that
we
somewhat
IN
CHAPTEE
At
uncertain
223
THE HEAVENS.
XII.
is
visible
by
different names.
The
is
first
light
somewhat
dawn
of day.
sky,
This
twilight.
for
coming
during the
evening.
As
COMMON SIGHTS
224
may
be seen to
west
whitish.
clouds
or from
which usually
rest
near the
above
us.
circle of either
brilliant colom^s,
from
it,
aurora.
is
flash
rapidity.
frequently
This circle
is
observed
during
the
it
is
In addition to the streamers there are sometimes undulations or waves of light, which flow
upv/ard towards the corona or along the line of
an arch.
In addition to the above there are milky
sort
IN
THE HEATEXS.
225
ance,
the
aui^ora.
phenomenon
is
not a very
common
northern regions
if
intensity of
an individual
it
is
is
frequently visible.
Still,
may
frequently observe
and
beautiful
this
mystical effect.
may serve
a description
At a very
horizon,
and
p.m.,
there
to rise.
from the
N.jST.E.
the horizon.
intensity,
some
COMMON SIGHTS
226
They extended
and
east
colour.
some large
fire
were
the sky.
in flashes,
visible.
The aurora
From
number
the greatest
month
ratio
it is
found that
of October,
being as follows
October,
March, No-
This ratio
is liable to variation,
which some
Januar)^, August,
it
is
believed
of a
subtle
earth's surface.
227
THE HEAYEXS.
IN'
produce singailar
common
the
cm^s
of
AYhen an am'ora
oe-
telegraph.
considerably
disturbances are
these
and
creased,
effects
in-
it is
to
is
in
The aurora
force.
is
we
the aurora
is
From
or
magnetism
is
maintained upon
these
two
forces.
We know
that
electrical
effects.
may
effects of
other
is
is
this
of
the
magnetic element
228
C03IM0N SIGHTS
Hence
light.
is
that at the
visible
gions.
for
many
may
re-
be the case
this
little
work
to
adduce.
very
little
after
sunset,
es-
and
bril-
liant
phenomenon
called the
Aurora
Borealis,
month
may be
seen,
short distance,
**
and
either disappears as
objects are
commonly
for a
though it
report.
These
The
fall
of these sin-
many examples
IX
of the danger
who
science
THE HEAVEXS.
that
''
by
to perceive
it
Europe affirmed
''
As M. Arago
who
at Luce,
its fall
who continued
several persons
fallen
of
it
men
surrounds those
until
229
refuse
to
is
more injury
who
than
men
of being too
credulous."
It
in
nearly
all
the
derance of nickel.
Some
is
a prepon-
We
aerolites
and when
COMMON SIGHTS
230
of
some of these
bodies,
it is
An
aerolite fell in
New Granada
vessel.
in 1810,
and
then
fire
vanish
are
usually
termed
bolides.
leave behind
them a
train of fire
light,
occa-
which
were
men
possible.
It has
moon.
But, as
that the
and we have
to
THE HEAVENS.
IN
231
rather baseless.
It
may
be induced by the
earth's electrical or
may
may
magnetic
be formed from
its
THE END.
LONDON
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