Recreations in Astronomy eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 235 pages of information about Recreations in Astronomy.

Recreations in Astronomy eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 235 pages of information about Recreations in Astronomy.
It is possible that such a planet may exist, but the probability is, I think, that the differences are caused by errors in the theories of these planets. * * * A few years ago the remark was frequently made that the labors of astronomers on the solar system were finished, and that henceforth they could turn their whole attention to sidereal astronomy.  But to-day we have the lunar theory in a very discouraging condition, and the theories of Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all in need of revision; unless, indeed, Leverrier’s theories of the last two planets shall stand the test of observation.  But, after all, such a condition of things is only the natural result of long and accurate series of observations, which make evident the small inequalities in the motions, and bring to light the errors of theory.”

Future discoveries will mostly reveal the laws and conditions of the higher and finer forces.  Already Professor Loomis telegraphs twenty miles without wire, by the electric currents between mountains.  We begin to use electricity for light, and feel after it for a motor.  Comets and Auroras show its presence between worlds, and in the interstellar spaces.  Let another Newton arise.

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               SOME ELEMENTS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM
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------------------ | | | | Mean Dist. | | | | | | | from Sun. | | | | | | |-------------------| Mean |Density.| | | | | Earth’s| |Diameter |[Earth] | | Name. | Sign. | Masses. | Dist. | Millions |in Miles.| = 1. | | | | | as 1. | of Miles.| | | |-----------|-
-------|------------|--------|----------|---------|--------| | Sun |[Symbol]| Unity | | | 860,000 | 0.255 | | Mercury |[Symbol]|1/5000000(?)| 0.387 | 35-3/4| 2,992 | 1.21 | | Venus |[Symbol]| 1/425000 | 0.723 | 66-3/4| 7,660 | 0.85 | | Earth |[Symbol]| 1/326800 | 1. | 92-1/3| 7,918 | 1. | | Mars |[Symbol]| 1/2950000 | 1.523 | 141 | 4,211 | 0.737 | | Asteroids | (No.) | | | | | | | Jupiter |[Symbol]| 1/1047 | 5.203 | 480 | 86,000 | 0.243 | | Saturn |[Symbol]| 1/3501 | 9.538 | 881 | 70,500 | 0.133 | | Uranus |[Symbol]| 1/22600 | 19.183 | 1771 | 31,700 | 0.226 | | Neptune |[Symbol]| 1/19380 | 30.054 | 2775 | 34,500 | 0.204 | ------------------------------------------------------------
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Recreations in Astronomy from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.