Letters on Astronomy, Addressed to a Lady, in which the Elements of the Science are Familiarly Explained in Connexion with Its Literary History: With Numerous Engravings |
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Page 30
... space of two inches , and could be easily divided into minutes , since each minute would cover a space one thirtieth of an inch . Refined astronomical circles are now divided with very great skill and 30 LETTERS ON ASTRONOMY .
... space of two inches , and could be easily divided into minutes , since each minute would cover a space one thirtieth of an inch . Refined astronomical circles are now divided with very great skill and 30 LETTERS ON ASTRONOMY .
Page 31
... spaces between the divisions be- ing , when read off , magnified by a microscope ; but in former times , astronomers ... space , on a circle twelve feet in diameter , no greater than one fifty- seven hundredth part of an inch . To divide ...
... spaces between the divisions be- ing , when read off , magnified by a microscope ; but in former times , astronomers ... space , on a circle twelve feet in diameter , no greater than one fifty- seven hundredth part of an inch . To divide ...
Page 38
... space . The several cir- cumstances which influence the qualities of a telescope are , illuminating power , distinctness , field of view , and magnifying power . Large mirrors and large object- glasses are superior to smaller ones ...
... space . The several cir- cumstances which influence the qualities of a telescope are , illuminating power , distinctness , field of view , and magnifying power . Large mirrors and large object- glasses are superior to smaller ones ...
Page 55
... space on the limb of an instrument , in proportion as the instrument itself is larger . The vertical circle usu- ally connected with the transit instrument , as in Fig . 7 , may indeed be employed for the same purposes as the mural ...
... space on the limb of an instrument , in proportion as the instrument itself is larger . The vertical circle usu- ally connected with the transit instrument , as in Fig . 7 , may indeed be employed for the same purposes as the mural ...
Page 56
... spaces may again be subdivided into seconds by the micrometer . Fig . 8 . D From these statements , you will acquire some faint idea of the extreme difficulty of making perfect astro- nomical instruments , especially where they are ...
... spaces may again be subdivided into seconds by the micrometer . Fig . 8 . D From these statements , you will acquire some faint idea of the extreme difficulty of making perfect astro- nomical instruments , especially where they are ...
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Common terms and phrases
angle appear ascertain astronomers atmosphere attraction axis called celestial centre circle comet conjunction constellation degrees diameter direction discovery disk distance diurnal motion doctrine double stars earth ecliptic equal equator equinox exhibit fact fixed stars force Galileo globe gravity greater greatest half Halley's comet heavenly bodies heavens Hence Herschel horizon inferior conjunction instrument John Herschel Jupiter Kepler latitude laws length less light longitude lunar lunar eclipse magnitude measure Mercury meridian meteors millions of miles minutes moon moon's motion move nearer nearly nebula node objects observations opposite orbit parallax passing perihelion period phenomena planetary planets pole respect revolve right ascension ring round satellites Saturn seen shadow side solar system space spectator sphere sun's superior planets supposed surface tance telescope thousand tides tion truth Tycho Tycho Brahe universal gravitation Uranus velocity Venus vernal equinox visible west to east
Popular passages
Page 193 - Less than archangel ruined, and the excess Of glory obscured ; as when the sun, new risen, Looks through the horizontal misty air Shorn of his beams, or from behind the moon, In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds On half the nations, and with fear of change Perplexes monarchs.
Page 69 - Then stay'd the fervid wheels, and in his hand He took the golden compasses, prepared In God's eternal store, to circumscribe This universe, and all created things: One foot he centred, and the other turn'd Round through the vast profundity obscure, And said, ' Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds, This be thy just circumference, O world!
Page 233 - Fairest of stars, last in the train of night, If better thou belong not to the dawn, Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling morn With thy bright circlet, praise Him in thy sphere, While day arises, that sweet hour of prime.
Page 179 - As when the moon, refulgent lamp of night, O'er Heaven's clear azure spreads her sacred light, When not a breath disturbs the deep serene, And not a cloud o'ercasts the solemn scene ; Around her throne the vivid planets roll, And stars unnumber'd gild the glowing pole, O'er the dark trees a yellower verdure shed, And tip with silver every mountain's head...
Page 377 - IX. 0 how canst thou renounce the boundless store Of charms which Nature to her votary yields! The warbling woodland, the resounding shore, The pomp of groves, and garniture of fields; All that the genial ray of morning gilds, And all that echoes to the song of even, All that the mountain's sheltering bosom shields, And all the dread magnificence of heaven, O how canst thou renounce, and hope to be forgiven ! X.
Page 206 - First in his east the glorious lamp was seen, Regent of day, and all the horizon round Invested with bright rays, jocund to run His longitude through heaven's high road ; the gray Dawn and the Pleiades before him danced, Shedding sweet influence.
Page 213 - Rock, which stands on one side of the harbour's mouth, so nearly right ahead that we had not to alter our course above a point in order to hit the entrance of Rio. This was the first land we had seen for three months, after crossing so many seas and being set backwards and forwards by innumerable currents and foul winds.
Page 278 - ... satellites. But we shall do wrong to judge of the fitness or unfitness of their condition, from what we see around us, when, perhaps, the very combinations which convey to our minds only images of horror, may be in reality theatres of the most striking and glorious displays of beneficent contrivance.
Page 377 - It was then as bright as Sirius, and continued to increase till it surpassed Jupiter when brightest, and was visible at mid-day. It began to diminish in December of the same year, and in March 1574, had entirely disappeared.
Page 269 - I touch with my own hands. I, the - above-named Galileo Galilei, have abjured, sworn, promised and bound myself, as above, and in witness thereof with my own hand have subscribed this present writing of my abjuration, which I have recited word for word.