Mechanism of the HeavensJ. Murray, 1831 - 621 pages |
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Page xxv
... determined by a surface at every point perpendicular to the direction of gravity , or of the plumb- line , and is the same which the sea would have if it were con- tinued all round the earth beneath the continents . Such is the figure ...
... determined by a surface at every point perpendicular to the direction of gravity , or of the plumb- line , and is the same which the sea would have if it were con- tinued all round the earth beneath the continents . Such is the figure ...
Page xxviii
... determined , it furnishes a standard of measure with which the dimensions of the solar system may be compared . The parallax of a celestial body is the angle under which the radius of the earth would be seen if viewed from the centre of ...
... determined , it furnishes a standard of measure with which the dimensions of the solar system may be compared . The parallax of a celestial body is the angle under which the radius of the earth would be seen if viewed from the centre of ...
Page xxix
... determined by observations of a transit of Venus made at Wardhus in Lapland , and at Otaheite in the South Sea , the latter observation being the object of Cook's first voyage . The transit lasted about six hours at Otaheite , and the ...
... determined by observations of a transit of Venus made at Wardhus in Lapland , and at Otaheite in the South Sea , the latter observation being the object of Cook's first voyage . The transit lasted about six hours at Otaheite , and the ...
Page xxxi
... determined theoretically , with the same inequalities given by observation , for the disturbing cause must necessarily be proportional to the effect it pro- duces . But as the quantities of matter in any two primary planets are directly ...
... determined theoretically , with the same inequalities given by observation , for the disturbing cause must necessarily be proportional to the effect it pro- duces . But as the quantities of matter in any two primary planets are directly ...
Page xxxii
... determined . The rotation of Mercury is unknown , on account of his proximity to the sun ; and that of the new planets has not yet been ascertained . The sun revolves in twenty - five days ten hours , about an axis that is directed ...
... determined . The rotation of Mercury is unknown , on account of his proximity to the sun ; and that of the new planets has not yet been ascertained . The sun revolves in twenty - five days ten hours , about an axis that is directed ...
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Common terms and phrases
A₁ action angle ascending node attraction axes axis 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 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 radius vector ratio regard retrograde motion 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 δα δε δυ
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.