The description and use of the globes and the orrery: To which is prefix'd, by way of introduction, a brief account of the solar systemHarris, Joseph
History
The description and use of the globes and the orrery: To which is prefix'd, by way of introduction, a brief account of the solar system
Harris, Joseph
Astronomical models; Globes
This circle is divided by astronomers into four quadrants, and each of
the quadrants into 90 degrees, _&c._ The four points quartering this
circle are called the _Cardinal Points_, and are termed the _East_,
_West_, _North_, and _South_. The _East_ is that point of the Horizon
where the Sun rises when he is in the equinoctial, or on that day when
he ascends above the Horizon exactly at six o’clock; and the _West_
is that point of the Horizon which is directly opposite to the East,
or where the Sun Sets when he is in the Equinoctial. The _South_ is
90 degrees distant from the East and West, and is toward that part of
the Heavens wherein the Sun always appears to us in _Great-Britain_ at
Noon; and the _North_ is that part of the Heavens which is directly
opposite to the South: Or, the North and South points of the Heavens
may be found by turning yourself either directly towards the East or
the West: If you look towards the (East/West) the (South/North) will be
to the right Hand, and the (North/South) to the left.
[Sidenote: _Points of the Compass._]
Besides the aforementioned divisions of the Horizon into degrees.
_Mariners_ divide it into 32 equal parts, which they call the _Points
of the Compass_; to each of which points they give a particular name,
compounded of the four Cardinals, according to what quarter of the
Compass is intended.
[Sidenote: _Zenith._]
[Sidenote: _Nadir._]
The center of the Horizon is the place of observation, and the Poles of
it are one exactly over our heads, called the _Zenith_; and the other
exactly under our feet, called the _Nadir_.
[Sidenote: _Vertical Circles._]
[Sidenote: _Meridian._]
[Sidenote: _Azimuth._]
13. All circles conceived to pass thro’ the Zenith and Nadir, are
called _Vertical Circles_, or _Azimuths_. Of these circles, that which
passeth thro’ the North and South points of the Horizon, is called the
_Meridian_; so that when any object is upon the Meridian, it then bears
either due South, or due North from us; and the _Azimuth_ of any object
is an arch of the Horizon intercepted between the vertical circle
passing through it, and either the North or South part of the Meridian;
which part is commonly specified.
The meridian passes thro’ the Poles of the world, as well as through
the Zenith and Nadir, and therefore is a secundary both of the
equinoctial and the horizon: This circle divides the globe into the
_Eastern_ and _Western Hemispheres_, and the Poles of it are the _East_
and _West_ points of the _Horizon_. All the heavenly objects are,
during one half of their continuance above the horizon, in the Eastern
Hemisphere, and for the other half in the Western; so that whenever the
Sun arrives upon the upper part of the meridian, it is then _Noon_, or
_Mid-day_, which is the reason why this circle is called the meridian;
and when he comes to the lower part, it is then _Midnight_.
[Sidenote: _Prime Vertical._]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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