Memoir on a New and Certain Method of Ascertaining the Figure of the Earth by Means of Occultations of the Fixed Stars

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R. and A. Taylor, 1819 - 44 pages

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Page 1 - D'Alembert, was the Precession of the equinoxes and the Nutation of the earth's axis, according to the theory of gravitation.
Page 33 - Pounds in any one Year, towards the making, correcting, or publishing any such Experiments, Modes, Observations, Calculations, or Tables. VII. And whereas it is expedient that the said Commissioners should be enabled to cause to be ascertained, as accurately as may be, the Latitude and Longitude of Places whereof the exact Situation hath not been already sufficiently ascertained ; Be it enacted. That they may expend or cause to be expended any Sum not exceeding in the whole One Thousand Pounds in...
Page 20 - ... that yearly happen, may be readily shown. Indeed, most of the lunar occultations, where the star is of sufficient magnitude for observing its immersion and emersion correctly, are equally fit for the purpose here proposed to some parts or other of the globe. And as Cagnoli very justly observes : — " It is in the power of every principal academy materially to assist in such a discovery, by two methods. First, in regard to times past, to collect together, from all quarters, the observations of...
Page 33 - ... said Commissioners should be enabled to expend certain Sums towards making Experiments of Instruments, Modes, or Proposals, and for making and publishing Observations, Calculations, and Tables for ascertaining the Longitude, or towards improving or correcting such as may have been already made, or for other Purposes useful to Navigation; Be it enacted, That they may pay or expend any Sum or Sums of Money, not exceeding One...
Page 21 - Secondly, w ith respect to the future, to insert in the ephemerides accurate ill notices of. those placee or districts where it would be most important that any occultation should be observed (particularly of the principal stars) in order that it might serve to apprise and excite the attention of such astronomers as might be favourably situated themselves, or contiguous to more advantageous situations.
Page 1 - Memoir on a New and Certain Method of Ascertaining the Figure of the Earth by means of Occultations of the Fixed Stars.
Page 33 - ... Observations, Calculations, or Tables. VII. And whereas it is expedient that the said Commissioners should be enabled to cause to be ascertained, as accurately as may be, the Latitude and Longitude of Places whereof the exact Situation hath not been already sufficiently ascertained ; Be it enacted. That they may expend or cause to be expended any Sum not exceeding in the whole One Thousand Pounds in any one Year for such Purpose. VIII. And whereas it may happen that Proposals, Inventions, and...
Page 33 - ... publishing Observations, Calculations, and Tables for ascertaining the Longitude, or towards improving or correcting such as may have been already made, or for other Purposes useful to Navigation; Be it enacted, That they may pay or expend any Sum or Sums of Money, not exceeding One Thousand Pounds in any one Year, towards the making, correcting, or publishing any such Experiments, Modes, Observations, Calculations, or Tables.
Page 34 - ... moderate Rewards upon the Person or Persons who may have made such Proposal, Invention, or Correction ; Be it therefore enacted, That the said Commissioners may pay or cause to be paid such Sum not exceeding...
Page 8 - ... if there be no variation in the curvature of the earth's surface, the duration will be only 8m.

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