What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Almagest analysis ancient astronomy atmosphere attractive force augment cause celestial bodies centre of gravity centrifugal force century CHAP circumference comets consider cosine cube density determined diameter diminished diminution direction discoveries distance Earth elliptic elliptic motion embouchure epoch equa equal equilibrium equinoxes excentricity existence explain extended fluid force of gravity geometrician Hipparchus hypothesis inclination inequalities insensible Jupiter Kepler length libration longitude lunar orbit lunar tide mass mean motions meridian Moon motion of rotation mutual action nature nearly Newton nodes nutation observations ocean oscillations parallax particles pendulum perigee perihelion perijoves period pheno phenomena planetary orbits planets poles precession principle produce proportional Ptolemy quadratures quantity radii radius ratio result retardation retrograde motion revolution ring round the Sun satellites Saturn secular equation sensible sidereal sine solar tide sphere spheroid square stars strata Sun and Moon suppose surface sysygies tance terrestrial orbit theory tion universal gravitation variations vations velocity
Page 352 - Considering it with attention, we are astonished to see all the planets move round the Sun from west to east, and nearly in the same plane, all the satellites moving round their respective planets in the same direction, and nearly in the same plane with the planets.
Page 246 - I differ in opinion from a learned and illustrious astronomer, who, after having honoured his career by labours useful both to science and humanity, perished a victim to the most sanguinary tyranny, opposing the calmness and dignity of virtue, to the revilings of an infatuated people, who wantonly prolonged the last agonies of his existence.
Page 369 - Seduced by the illusions of the senses, and of self. love, man considered himself for a long time as the centre of the motion of the celestial bodies, and his pride was justly punished by the vain terrors they inspired. The labour of many ages has at length withdrawn the veil which covered the system. Man appears...
Page 96 - ... 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 338 - ... combined action of the Sun and Earth on this satellite. But with the exception of what concerns the elliptic motion of the planets and comets, the attraction of spherical bodies, and the intensity of gravity at the surface of the Sun, and of those planets that are accompanied by satellites, all 342 these discoveries were only sketched by Newton.
Page 359 - From a consideration of the planetary motions, we are therefore brought to the conclusion, that in consequence of an excessive heat, the solar atmosphere originally extended beyond the orbits of all the planets, and that it has successively contracted itself within its present limits.
Page 355 - ... to the ecliptic, we find that the mean inclination of the orbits of all the observed comets, approaches near to 100°, which would be the case if the bodies had been projected at random.
Page 336 - He extended this proposition afterwards by analogy, to all the celestial bodies, and established as a principle, that all particles of matter attract each other directly as their mass, and inversely as the square of their distance.
Page 62 - It is easy to represent the effect of such a shock upon the Earth — the axis and motion of rotation changed — the waters abandoning their ancient position to precipitate themselves towards the new equator — the greater part of men and animals drowned in a universal deluge, or destroyed by the violence of the shock given to the terrestrial globe — whole species destroyed — all the monuments of human industry reversed — such are the effects which the shock of a comet would produce." " We...
Page 246 - The Indian tables indicate a knowledge of astronomy considerably advanced, but every thing shews that it is not of an extremely remote antiquity. And here, with regret, I differ in opinion from a learned and illustrious astronomer, whose fate is a terrible proof of the inconstancy of popular favour, who, after having honoured his career by labours useful both to science and humanity, perished a victim to the most sanguinary tyranny, opposing the calmness and dignity of virtue, to the revilings of...