From these demonstrable distances it follows unavoidably that the
_magnitude_ of the Sun, Moon, Stars, &c., is very small--much smaller
than the Earth from which they are measured; and to which therefore
they cannot possibly be other than secondary, and subservient.
SECTION 4.
THE SUN MOVES IN A CIRCLE OVER THE EARTH, CONCENTRIC WITH THE NORTH
POLE.
As the Earth has been shown to be fixed, the motion of the Sun is a
visible reality; and if it be observed from any northern latitude, and
for any period before and after the time of southing, or passing the
meridian, it will be seen to describe an arc of a circle; an object
moving in an arc cannot return to the centre of such arc without having
completed a circle. This the Sun does visibly and daily. To place the
matter beyond doubt, the observation of the Arctic navigators may be
referred to. Captain Parry, and several of his officers, on ascending
high land in the vicinity of the north pole, repeatedly saw, for 24
hours together, the sun describing a circle upon the southern horizon.
SECTION 5.
THE DIAMETER OF THE SUN’S PATH IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING--DIMINISHING FROM
DECEMBER 21ST TO JUNE 15TH, AND ENLARGING FROM JUNE TO DECEMBER.
This is a matter of absolute certainty, proved by what is called, in
technical language, the northern and southern declination, which is
simply saying that the Sun’s path is nearest the north pole in summer,
and farthest away from it in winter. This difference in position gives
rise to the difference of altitude, as observed at various periods of
the year, and which is shewn in the following table, given in “The
Illustrated London Almanack,” for 1848, by Mr. Glaisher, of the Royal
Observatory, Greenwich.
“Sun’s altitude at the time of Southing, or being on the meridian:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account