Mechanism of the HeavensJ. Murray, 1831 - 621 pages |
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Page xx
... density of the fluid throughout the whole extent of the solar system , must be proportional to its elasti- city . Among the fortunate conjectures which have been con- firmed by subsequent experience , that of Bacon is not the least ...
... density of the fluid throughout the whole extent of the solar system , must be proportional to its elasti- city . Among the fortunate conjectures which have been con- firmed by subsequent experience , that of Bacon is not the least ...
Page xxiv
... density from its centre . to its circumference . Thus the moon's eclipses show the earth to be round , and her inequalities not only determine the form , but the internal structure of our planet ; results of analysis which could not ...
... density from its centre . to its circumference . Thus the moon's eclipses show the earth to be round , and her inequalities not only determine the form , but the internal structure of our planet ; results of analysis which could not ...
Page xxv
... densities , and volumes of the sun and planets . The courses of the great rivers , which are in general navi- gable to a considerable extent , prove that the curvature of the land differs but little from that of the ocean ; and as the ...
... densities , and volumes of the sun and planets . The courses of the great rivers , which are in general navi- gable to a considerable extent , prove that the curvature of the land differs but little from that of the ocean ; and as the ...
Page xxxvii
... density in the strata cor- responding to the depth and the form of the spheroid , being what theory assigns to a fluid mass in rotation , concur to induce the idea that the temperature of the earth was originally so high as to reduce ...
... density in the strata cor- responding to the depth and the form of the spheroid , being what theory assigns to a fluid mass in rotation , concur to induce the idea that the temperature of the earth was originally so high as to reduce ...
Page xxxix
... density of the earth , and the mean depth even of the Pacific ocean is not more than four miles , whereas the equatorial radius of d 2 IRILIMINARY DISSERTATION . xxxix northern climates fit for the production of tropical plants, ...
... density of the earth , and the mean depth even of the Pacific ocean is not more than four miles , whereas the equatorial radius of d 2 IRILIMINARY DISSERTATION . xxxix northern climates fit for the production of tropical plants, ...
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Common terms and phrases
A₁ action angle ascending node attraction axes axis B₁ becomes c'mv centre of gravity centrifugal force co-ordinates coefficients comets computed conic sections consequently cosines curve density depending determined differential direction disturbing forces dR dR dt dt earth eccentricity ecliptic elements epoch equal equilibrium equinoxes expression fixed plane fluid functions give hence inclination indefinitely small integral Jupiter latitude mass mean anomaly mean distance mean longitude mean motion moon moon's move nearly observation omitted orbit of Jupiter oscillations parallax particle perigee perihelion periodic inequalities perturbations planets preceding equation preceding values radius vector ratio regard rotation satellites Saturn secular inequalities secular variations sidereal sine spheroid square substituted surface system of bodies terrestrial theory tion true longitude Uranus velocity whence zero
Popular passages
Page xviii - ... that the mean longitude of the first satellite, minus three times that of the second, plus twice that of the third, is always equal to two right angles.
Page vii - His works, but trace, with precision, the operation of His laws, use the globe he inhabits as a base wherewith to measure the magnitude and distance of the sun and planets, and make the diameter of the earth's orbit the first step of a scale by which he may ascend to the starry firmament. Such pursuits, while they ennoble the mind, at the same time inculcate humility, by showing that there is a barrier which no energy, mental or physical, can ever enable us to pass: that, however profoundly we may...
Page xv - That day, as other solemn days, they spent In song and dance about the sacred hill ; Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere Of planets, and of fix'd, in all her wheels Resembles nearest, mazes intricate, Eccentric, intervolved, yet regular Then most, when most irregular they seem ; And in their motions harmony divine So smooths her charming tones, that God's own ear Listens delighted.
Page xlix - An account of experiments for determining the length of the pendulum vibrating seconds in the latitude of London.
Page lxiv - Jupiter ; it then gradually diminished in splendor, and having exhibited all the variety of tints that indicate the changes of combustion, vanished sixteen months after its discovery, without altering its position. It is impossible to imagine anything more tremendous than a conflagration that could be visible at such a distance.
Page xiv - But, in the midst of all these vicissitudes, the length of the major axes and the mean motions of the planets remain permanently independent of secular changes. They are so connected by Kepler's law, of the squares of the periodic times being proportional to the cubes of the mean distances of the planets from the sun, that one cannot vary without affecting the other.
Page lxix - If the attraction of the sun for the огпtre of the earth, and of the hemisphere diametrically opposite to him, were diminished by a difficulty in penetrating the interposed matter, the tides would be more obviously affected. Its attraction is the same also, whatever the substances of the celestial bodies may be; for if the action of...
Page vi - is to inspire the love of truth, of wisdom, of beauty — especially of goodness, the highest beauty — and of that supreme and eternal Mind, which contains all truth and wisdom, all beauty and goodness. By the love or delightful contemplation and pursuit of these transcendent aims, for their own sake only, the mind of man is raised from low and perishable objects, and prepared for those high destinies which are appointed for all those who are capable of them.
Page xii - ... depends upon the velocity with which they were first propelled in space. Had that velocity been such as to make the planets move in orbits of unstable equilibrium, their mutual attractions might have changed them into parabolas, or even hyperbolas, so that the earth and planets might, ages ago, have been sweeping far from our sun through the abyss of space.
Page xxxvi - ... the waters back to their sources ; and thus again by removing matter to a greater distance from the centre, destroy the velocity generated by its previous approach ; so that the descent of the rivers does not affect the earth's rotation.