Mechanism of the Heavens |
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Page v
... the revolutions and rotations of the planets , and the oscillations of the fluids at their surfaces , and which estimates the changes the system has hitherto undergone or may hereafter experience , changes which require millions of ...
... the revolutions and rotations of the planets , and the oscillations of the fluids at their surfaces , and which estimates the changes the system has hitherto undergone or may hereafter experience , changes which require millions of ...
Page ix
... the reciprocal attraction of its particles ; but if the mass revolves about an axis , it becomes flattened at the poles , and bulges at the equator , in consequence of the centrifugal force arising from the velocity of rotation .
... the reciprocal attraction of its particles ; but if the mass revolves about an axis , it becomes flattened at the poles , and bulges at the equator , in consequence of the centrifugal force arising from the velocity of rotation .
Page x
Such is the form of the earth and planets , but the compres sion or flattening at their poles is so small , that even Jupiter , whose rotation is the most rapid , differs but little from a sphere . Although the planets attract each ...
Such is the form of the earth and planets , but the compres sion or flattening at their poles is so small , that even Jupiter , whose rotation is the most rapid , differs but little from a sphere . Although the planets attract each ...
Page xi
Since the motions of the rotation and translation of the planets are independent of each other , though probably communicated by the same impulse , they form separate subjects of investigation . A planet moves in its elliptical orbit ...
Since the motions of the rotation and translation of the planets are independent of each other , though probably communicated by the same impulse , they form separate subjects of investigation . A planet moves in its elliptical orbit ...
Page xv
The rotation of the earth is uniform ; therefore day and night , summer and winter , will continue their vicissitudes while the system endures , or is untroubled by foreign causes . Yonder starry sphere Of planets , and of fix'd ...
The rotation of the earth is uniform ; therefore day and night , summer and winter , will continue their vicissitudes while the system endures , or is untroubled by foreign causes . Yonder starry sphere Of planets , and of fix'd ...
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Common terms and phrases
action angle appears arising assumed attraction axes axis becomes bodies cause centre of gravity changes co-ordinates coefficients computed consequently constant contain curve depending described determined differential direction distance disturbing earth eccentricity ecliptic effect elements epoch equal equation expression fixed fluid force functions give given greater hence inclination increase inequalities integral Jupiter Jupiter's known latitude longitude mass mean motion moon move nearly nodes observation obtained omitted orbit parallax particle periodic planets position preceding principal produce quantities radius ratio regard represented result revolve rotation satellites Saturn secular sine space square substituted supposed surface theory third tion true values variation varies vector velocity whence whole 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.
Bibliographic information
| Title | Mechanism of the Heavens |
| Author | Mary Somerville |
| Publisher | J. Murray, 1831 |
| Original from | Harvard University |
| Digitized | 17 Nov 2007 |
| Length | 621 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |