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
If from this position we gradually move the meridian of the globe
according to the progressive alterations made in the Sun’s declination,
by his motion in the ecliptic, we shall find the diurnal arches of
all those parallels, that are on the Northern side of the equator,
continually decrease; and those on the Southern side continually
increase, in the same manner as the days in those places shorten and
lengthen. Let us again observe the globe when the Sun has got within
10 degrees of the equinoctial; now the lower part of the 80th parallel
of North latitude just touches the horizon, and all the space betwixt
this and the pole, falls in the illuminated hemisphere: but all those
parallels that lie betwixt this and the arctic circle, which before
were wholly above the horizon, do now intersect it, and the Sun
appears to them to rise and set. From hence to the equator, we shall
find that the days have gradually shortened; and from the equator
Southward, they have gradually lengthened, until we come to the 80th
parallel of the South latitude; the upper part of which just touches
the horizon; and all places betwixt this and the South Pole are in
total darkness; but those parallels betwixt this and the antarctic
circle, which before were wholly upon the horizon, are now partly
above it; the length of their days being exactly equal to that of the
nights in the same latitude in the contrary hemisphere. This also holds
universally, that the length of one day in one latitude North, is
exactly equal to the length of the night in the same latitude South;
and _vice versa_.
Let us again follow the motion of the Sun, until he has got into the
equinoctial, and take a view of the globe while it is in this position.
Now all the parallels of latitude are cut into two equal parts by the
horizon, and consequently the days and nights are of equal lengths,
_viz._ 12 hours each, in all places of the world; the Sun rising and
setting at six o’clock, excepting under the two _Poles_, which now lie
exactly in the horizon: Here the Sun seems to stand still in the same
point of the heavens for some time, until by degrees, by his motion in
the ecliptic, he ascends higher to one and disappears to the other,
there being properly no days and nights under the Poles; for there the
motion of the Earth round its axis cannot be observed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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