Text-book of Popular Astronomy ...A. S. Barnes, 1883 - 323 pages |
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Common terms and phrases
angle angular aphelion appear ascending node astronomers atmosphere axis Barnes's body bright calendar called celestial sphere centre comet computed conjunction consequence constellation corresponding cycle diameter direction disk Dominical letter earth east elongation equal equator equinoctial excentricity EXPLANATION greatest heavens hence History horizon hour illustrated inclined inferior conjunction Jupiter latitude length libration light longitude lunar lunar eclipse magnitude maps Mars mass matter mean distance meridian meteors method millions of miles Monteith's month moon's motion moving nearly nebula nucleus observer orbit passes perihelion perpendicular photosphere planet pole position principal stars principles Prof proper motion pupil rays refraction retrograde revolve right ascension ring rotation satellites Saturn School seen shown in Fig sidereal sidereal day solar eclipse sun's supposed surface synodic period tail teacher telescope text-book tides tion transit umbra Uranus velocity Venus vernal equinox visible volume zenith
Popular passages
Page 301 - I could hear from most of the negroes of three plantations, amounting in all to about six or eight hundred. While earnestly listening for the cause, I heard a faint voice near the door calling my name. I arose, and taking my sword, stood at the door. At this moment, I heard the same voice still beseeching me to rise, and saying ' O my God, the. world is on fire...
Page 301 - Upwards of one hundred lay prostrate on the ground, some speechless, and some with the bitterest cries, but with their hands raised, imploring God to save the world and them. The scene was truly awful ; for never did rain fall much thicker than the meteors fell towards the earth ; east, west, north, and south it was the same.
Page 300 - I was called up about three o'clock in the morning, to see the shooting stars, as they are called. The phenomenon was grand and awful. The whole heavens appeared as if illuminated with sky-rockets, which disappeared only by the light of the sun after daybreak. The meteors, which at any one instant of time appeared as numerous as the stars, flew in all possible directions, except from the earth...