Mechanism of the HeavensJ. Murray, 1831 - 621 pages |
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Page viii
... sine is , is the same as if it were a sphere ; and experience shows that bodies there fall through 16.0697 feet in a second . The mean distance of the moon from the earth is about sixty times the mean radius of the earth . When the ...
... sine is , is the same as if it were a sphere ; and experience shows that bodies there fall through 16.0697 feet in a second . The mean distance of the moon from the earth is about sixty times the mean radius of the earth . When the ...
Page xiv
... sine or cosine never can exceed the radius , but must oscillate between zero and unity , however much the time may increase , it follows , that when the variations have by slow changes accumulated in however long a time to a maximum ...
... sine or cosine never can exceed the radius , but must oscillate between zero and unity , however much the time may increase , it follows , that when the variations have by slow changes accumulated in however long a time to a maximum ...
Page xxvi
... sine of the latitude ; consequently , the convexity of the earth diminishes from the equator to the poles . Many discrepancies occur , but the figure that most nearly follows this law is an ellipsoid of revolution , whose equatorial ...
... sine of the latitude ; consequently , the convexity of the earth diminishes from the equator to the poles . Many discrepancies occur , but the figure that most nearly follows this law is an ellipsoid of revolution , whose equatorial ...
Page xxvii
... sine of the latitude ; but for a spheroid in rotation , by the laws of mechanics the centrifugal force varies as the square of the sine of the latitude from the equator where it is greatest , to the pole where it vanishes ; and as it ...
... sine of the latitude ; but for a spheroid in rotation , by the laws of mechanics the centrifugal force varies as the square of the sine of the latitude from the equator where it is greatest , to the pole where it vanishes ; and as it ...
Page 29
... sine of the angle of incidence ISA will be to the sine of the angle of refraction RSB , in a constant ratio for Ptolemy discovered that light , when reflected any one medium . from any surface , passed from one given point to another by ...
... sine of the angle of incidence ISA will be to the sine of the angle of refraction RSB , in a constant ratio for Ptolemy discovered that light , when reflected any one medium . from any surface , passed from one given point to another by ...
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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 |