The sidereal messenger of Galileo Galilei : $b and a part of the preface to Kepler's Dioptrics containing the original account of Galileo's astronomical discoveriesGalilei, Galileo
History
The sidereal messenger of Galileo Galilei : $b and a part of the preface to Kepler's Dioptrics containing the original account of Galileo's astronomical discoveries
Galilei, Galileo
Astronomy -- Early works to 1800; Jupiter (Planet) -- Satellites
Feb. 4: 2 h.—Four satellites attended Jupiter, two on the east and
two on the west, arranged in one perfectly straight line, as in the
adjoining figure (Fig. 35). The satellite furthest to the east was at
a distance of 3´ from the next satellite. This one was 0´ 40´´ from
Jupiter; Jupiter 4´ from the nearest satellite on the west; and this
one from the satellite further to the west 6´. In magnitude they were
nearly equal; the satellite nearest to Jupiter was rather smaller in
appearance than the rest. But at the seventh hour (Fig. 36) the eastern
satellites were at a distance of only 0´ 30´´ apart. Jupiter was 2´
from the nearest satellite on the east; and from the satellite on the
west, next in order, 4´; this one was distant 3´ from the satellite
further to the west. They were all equal in magnitude, and in a
straight line, drawn in the direction of the ecliptic.
Feb. 5.—The sky was cloudy.
Feb. 6.—Two satellites only appeared, with Jupiter between them, as is
seen in the accompanying figure (Fig. 37). The satellite on the east
was 2´ from Jupiter, and that on the west 3´. They were in the same
straight line with Jupiter, and were equal in magnitude.
Feb. 7.—There were two satellites by the side of Jupiter, and both of
them on the east of the planet, arranged in this manner (Fig. 38).
The intervals between the satellites and Jupiter were equal, and of
1´ each; and a straight line would go through them and the centre of
Jupiter.
Feb. 8: 1 h.—Three satellites were there, all on the east side of
Jupiter, as in the diagram (Fig. 39). The nearest to Jupiter, a
rather small one, was distant from the planet 1´ 20´´; the middle
one was 4´ from this satellite, and was rather large; the satellite
furthest to the east, a very small one, was at a distance of 0´ 20´´
from this satellite. It was doubtful whether there was one satellite
near to Jupiter or two, for sometimes it seemed that there was another
satellite by its side towards the east, wonderfully small, and only
10´´ from it. They were all situated at points in a straight line drawn
in the direction of the Zodiac. At the third hour the satellite nearest
to Jupiter was almost touching the planet, for it was only distant
10´´ from it; but the others had become further off, for the middle
one was 6´ from Jupiter. At length, at the fourth hour, the satellite
which was previously the nearest to Jupiter joined with the planet and
disappeared.
Feb. 9: 0 h. 30 m.—There were two satellites on the east side of
Jupiter, and one on the west, in an arrangement such as this (Fig. 40).
The satellite furthest to the east, which was a rather small one, was
distant 4´ from the next satellite; the satellite in the middle was
larger, and at a distance of 7´ from Jupiter. Jupiter was distant 4´
from the western satellite, which was a small one.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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