Handbook of Astronomy |
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Common terms and phrases
altitude aphelion apparent diameter apparent magnitude apparent motion appearance ascertained astronomers atmosphere attraction axis bodies brightness C. H. F. Peters celestial equator celestial sphere centre circle comet consequently density determined direction discovered discovery disk disturbing diurnal diurnal motion earth eclipse edge effect elongation equal equinoxial points excentricity firmament globe greater greatest heavens hemisphere Herschel horizon increase inferior conjunction inferred instrument interval Jupiter latitude less light limb line of collimation longitude lunar mass matter mean distance measured meridian millions of miles minute moon moon's move nearly nebula object Observatory observed opposition orbit parallax pass perihelion period phenomena planet planetary pole position prime vertical produced ratio represented revolution revolve right angles right ascension ring rotation round satellites Saturn seen semi-diameters shadow solar system sphere star sun's supposed surface synodic period telescope tion transit Uranus velocity vertical visible visual wires zenith
Popular passages
Page 262 - ... rings. Supposing them mathematically perfect in their circular form, and exactly concentric with the planet, it is demonstrable that they would form (in spite of their centrifugal force) a system in a state of unstable equilibrium, which the slightest external power would subvert — not by causing a rupture in the substance of the rings — but by precipitating them, unbroken, on the surface of the planet.
Page 329 - How favourable to the development of all the best and highest feelings of the soul are such objects ! the •only passion they inspire being the love of truth, and the chiefest pleasure of their votaries arising from excursions through the imposing scenery of the universe — scenery on a scale of grandeur .and magnificence, compared with which whatever we are accustomed to call sublimity on our planet dwindles into ridiculous insignificancy. Most justly has it been said, that nature has implanted...
Page 437 - THE LARGEST CLUSTER OF STARS. Among the illustrations to Sir John Herschel's work is the noble globular cluster, Centaur ; beyond all comparison the richest and largest object of the kind in the heavens.
Page 149 - Vesuvius and elsewhere ; but with the remarkable peculiarity that the bottoms of many of the craters are very deeply depressed below the general surface of the moon, the internal depth being in many cases two or three times the external height.
Page 72 - This interval is divided, like a common day, into 24 hours, each hour into 60 minutes, and each minute into 60 seconds. Since...
Page 301 - I again looked round, when I saw a scene of unexpected beauty. The southern part of the sky, as I have said, was covered with uniform white cloud; but in the northern part were detached clouds upon a ground of clear sky. This clear sky was now strongly illuminated, to the height of y>> or35°, and through almost 90° of azimuth, with rosy red light shining through the intervals between the clouds.
Page 300 - I must advert to the darkness. I have no means of ascertaining whether the darkness really was greater in the eclipse of 1842 ; I am inclined to think that in the wonderful, and I may say appalling, obscurity, I saw the grey granite hills within sight of Hvalas more distinctly than the darker country surrounding the Snperga.
Page 515 - The light of the star is compound, and has emanated from two different sources. Each light forms its own spectrum. In the instrument these spectra appear superposed. The principal spectrum is analogous to that of the sun, and is evidently formed by the light of an incandescent solid or liquid photosphere, which has suffered absorption by the vapours of an envelope cooler than itself. The second spectrum consists of a few bright lines, which indicate that the light by which it is formed was emitted...
Page 354 - ... other consequence of an established physical law ; and predicted the re-appearance of this body, on its succeeding return to perihelion in 1758-9. He observed, however, that as in the interval between 1607 and 1682 the comet passed near Jupiter, its velocity must have been augmented, and consequently its period shortened by the action of that planet. This period, therefore, having been only seventy-five years, he inferred that the following period would probably be seventy-six years or upwards...
Page 301 - The appearance of this sierra, nearly in the place where I expected the appearance of the sun, warned me that I ought not now to attempt any other physical observation. In a short time the white sun burst forth, and the corona and every prominence vanished.