Astronomical Register: A Medium of Communication for Amateur Observers and All Others Interested in the Science of Astronomy, Volume 2J. D. Potter., 1865 |
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Common terms and phrases
1st Ec 1st Sh 1st Tr 2nd Ec Achromatic Achromatic Refractor Admiral Smyth aperture appears approach of Moon Astronomer Royal Astronomical Occurrences ASTRONOMICAL REGISTER atmosphere axis Beer and Mädler body centre circle comet Conjunction of Moon correspondents crater Cyclops dark Decl diameter direction disc double star EDITOR equatorial eye-piece fixed focal length focus Hersch Herschel Hodgson inches instrument June Jupiter last number Leonis letter light luminous lunar Magnitude Mars Mercury meteors MINOR PLANETS month MOON CONTROVERSY moon's rotation motion Nasmyth nebula Notices nucleus obedient Servant object object-glass observations Observatory Occultation Orionis path photosphere planetary nebula Pritchard Professor Reappearance of ditto Refractor revolution revolve round Right Ascension round the earth Royal Astronomical Society Saturn seen side small star solar space spots sun's surface T. W. Webb telescope Thur tion tube Tues turning round Uranus velocity Venus visible W. R. Dawes willow-leaves
Popular passages
Page 50 - The filaments in question are seen, and appear well defined, at the edges of the luminous surface where it overhangs ' the penumbra,' as also in the details of the penumbra itself, and most especially are they seen clearly defined in the details of ' the bridges,' as I term those bright streaks which are so frequently seen stretching across from side to side over the dark part of the spot. So far as I have as yet had an opportunity of estimating their actual magnitude, their average length appears...
Page 111 - Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Page 74 - Miller have described and figured the spectra of three of the brighter stars ; and this part of the inquiry will doubtless be continued. In a paper since presented to the Society, Mr. Huggins describes the means employed for practically determining with accuracy the positions of any stellar lines •which may be observed, with reference to known points of the spectrum, and has given beautiful maps of the spectra of twenty-four of the elementary bodies under the action of the inductive discharge,...
Page 50 - There appears no definite or symmetrical arrangement in the manner in which they are scattered over the surface of the Sun; they appear to lie across each other in all possible variety of directions. The thickness of the layer does not appear to be very deep, as I can see down through the interstices which are left here and there between them, and through which the dark or penumbral stratum is rendered visible. It is the occurrence of the infinite number of these interstices, and the consequent visibility...
Page 255 - In no single instance have the authors ever observed a star-spectrum in which lines were not discernible, if the light were sufficiently intense, and the atmosphere favourable. Rigel, for instance, which some authors state to be free from lines, is filled with a multitude of fine lines. Photographs of the spectra of Sirius and Capella were taken upon collodion ; but though tolerably sharp, the apparatus employed was not sufficiently perfect to afford any indication of lines in the photograph. . In...
Page 50 - ... average centre of the spot. As I have before said, nothing like a tendency to symmetrical arrangement is observed in the filaments that form the entire luminous surface of the sun. Diagram No. 2 conveys in this respect a very faithful representation. I may also here note that, although I have most carefully watched for it, I have never seen any indication of a vortical or spiral arrangement of the filaments within or about any of the solar spots ; this observation appears to set aside all likelihood...
Page 16 - Scottishness that gives the zest. The same ideas differently expounded might have no point at all. There is, for example, something highly original in the notions of celestial mechanics entertained by an honest Scottish Fife lass regarding the theory of comets. Having occasion to go out after dark, and having observed the brilliant comet...
Page 76 - The interior edge of the penumbra frequently appears extremely jagged; the bright ridges on its surface, which are directed nearly towards the centre of the spot, being seen projected to irregular distances on to the cloudy stratum [or umbra'], and looking much like a piece of coarse thatching with straw, the edge of which has been left untrimmed.
Page 254 - These diagrams include the results of the comparison of the spectra of various terrestrial elements with those of the star. In the spectrum of Aldebaran coincidence with nine of the elementary bodies were observed, viz. sodium, magnesium, hydrogen, calcium, iron, bismuth, tellurium, antimony, and mercury ; in seven other cases no coincidence was found to occur. In the spectrum of a Orionis five cases of coincidence were found, viz. sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and bismuth, whilst in the case...
Page 170 - The moon's rotation on her axis is uniform; but since her motion in her orbit (like that of the sun) is not so, we are enabled to look a few degrees round the equatorial parts of her visible border, on the eastern or western side, according to circumstances ; or, in other words, the Line joining the...