Mechanism of the Heavens |
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Page v
... that matter should reciprocally act upon matter . Physical astronomy is the science which compares and identifies the laws of motion observed on earth with the motions that take place in the heavens , and which traces , by an ...
... that matter should reciprocally act upon matter . Physical astronomy is the science which compares and identifies the laws of motion observed on earth with the motions that take place in the heavens , and which traces , by an ...
Page vi
... motions of the earth have been separated from the apparent motions of the planets ; the laws of the planetary revolutions have been discovered ; and the discovery of these laws has led to the knowledge of the gravitation of matter .
... motions of the earth have been separated from the apparent motions of the planets ; the laws of the planetary revolutions have been discovered ; and the discovery of these laws has led to the knowledge of the gravitation of matter .
Page vii
It has been proved by Newton that a particle of matter placed without the surface of a hollow sphere is attracted by it in the same manner as if its mass , or the whole matter it contains , were collected in its centre .
It has been proved by Newton that a particle of matter placed without the surface of a hollow sphere is attracted by it in the same manner as if its mass , or the whole matter it contains , were collected in its centre .
Page viii
... but as experience shows that the action and reaction of matter are equal and contrary , the moon must attract the earth with an equal and contrary force . Newton proved that a body projected in space will move in a conic section ...
... but as experience shows that the action and reaction of matter are equal and contrary , the moon must attract the earth with an equal and contrary force . Newton proved that a body projected in space will move in a conic section ...
Page ix
The gravitation of matter directed to a centre , and attracting directly as the mass , and inversely as the square of the distance , does not belong to it when taken in mass ; particle acts on particle according to the same law when at ...
The gravitation of matter directed to a centre , and attracting directly as the mass , and inversely as the square of the distance , does not belong to it when taken in mass ; particle acts on particle according to the same law when at ...
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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 density depending described determined differential direction distance disturbing earth eccentricity ecliptic effect elements epoch equal equation expression fluid force functions give given greater hence inclination increase inequalities integral Jupiter Jupiter's known latitude less longitude mass matter mean motion moon move nearly nodes observation obtained omitted orbit parallax particle periodic planets position preceding pressure 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 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 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 xlix - An account of experiments for determining the length of the pendulum vibrating seconds in the latitude of London.
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 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.
Bibliographic information
| Title | Mechanism of the Heavens |
| Author | Mary Somerville |
| Contributor | Henry Brougham Baron Brougham and Vaux |
| Publisher | John Murray, Albemarle-Street., 1831 |
| Original from | the New York Public Library |
| Digitized | 21 Jun 2006 |
| Length | 621 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |