Litchfield enquirer., 1843-01-26
ExTRAoRDINARY PHENOMENON.


 In the Lynn Locomotive, we find the fol- lowing extract of letter from an eminent astronomer, connected with Yale College at New Haven, to a scientific gentleman in Lynn. It will be found highly interesting to men of science, detailing some astonish- ing changes in the great machinery of Ma ture.
 %% There is certainly some extraor- dinary change going on in the solar system. Whether the result will be a speedy 6isSo- lution of the present harmonious arrange ment, is of course known only to HIN who instituted the laws which govern the course of the stars. For some time my attention has been directed to the rapidly developing phenomena, and l have been assisted in my observations by gentlemen eminent for their scientific attainlnents. And within u few days have had placed in my hands q paper from the celebrated astronomer Hanf, of Berlin, detailing his own discove- ries, and indicating that the subject is begin- ming to excite intense interest among the scientific of Europe. y.
 It is evident fiat the inclination of the earth's axis with he ecliptic is changing There is now a nearer approach to a coin cidence ofequator and ccliptic than has ev- CT before been known. Since the autumnal equinox. the obliquity in the earth's course has sensibly diminished; and if no counter acting influence intetvenes there will soon be perceptible change in the seasons and in the relative lengths of days and nights.
 The change is so great already, that ma- ny intricate calculations for the present year will be found inaccurate. Some of the important calculations of the Nautical Almanac will soon be found perplexing to the mariner as he takes his observations. And some of those heretofore highly useful tables in the American Almanac, founded on the bearings of some of the fixed stars, as well as planets, will prove entirely un- safe, if the progress of the change continues An experienced and intelligent shipmaster, day or two since, casually observed to me, that on recent voyage from the East Indi- es, when he sailed about six degrees to the north of the equator-the region from which the North Star is usually first seen after crossing the line, the haze rendering it invi- sible while near the horizon-he was asto. nished and perplexed in his observations The unusual variation of his chronometer from the time indicated by stellar observa- ton, led him to doubt the accuracy of his former faithful guide.
 Should these changes continue varia- tion in the altitude of the North Star will soon become apparent to the most casual observer; at those points of time, April l5, June 16, August 23, and December "A, when all true time keepers should agree with the sun, the chronometer will be found essen- tially varying, and many other important results will be developed. An attentive and accurate observer in the high attitudes, even at the next solstice, cannot fail to recognize various astonishing phenomena.
 But the changes going on in regard to the earth, are less remarkable perhaps than those which are effecting some of the other planets. The poles of Venus to all appear ance, are now elevated full thirty-fve de- grees, and she seems to be changing from her former clear radiance to color ap- preaching to that of Mars; the change in this particular, however, is as yet, slight, barely susceptible, under close observation, to the naked eye. By the aid of powerful glass, there may be perceived what appear to be waves of fire rolling over her disc.- This appearance have watched with much interest; it commenced some months since, on the southern limb, and gradually advan- ced over the whole breadth, till the planet was completely enveloped. The motion of this planet in her orbit, too, seems to be re- tarded, as though she was under the inau. l ence of some new power of attraction.
 Herschell has the appearance of having | greatly diminished in size, and has failed to reach given point in its orbit at the usual ] time, and in short, seems to have broken the | bonds which have connected it to the solar system, m,and commenced it's course as a nlem- | Der of some remote celestial retlnue.
 Saturn is also assuming an unwonted as. pect. To all appearance there is mighty l conhagration going on in the hitherto dark lines which divide her rings. To such an extent has it already attained, that in one or two places the whole breadth has assumed the appearance of ragged ranges, glowing as if they were red hot iron, and throwing lu- rid reflection upon the adjacent portion of the ring
 The changes seem also to extend beyond our system. The beautiful star Betelgnese, in the constellation Orion, has varied to such ! an extent from the vernal to the autumnal equinox of the present year, that it's distance may be ascertained. It seems to be ap- the solar bounds.
 "To BE, OR NOT TO BE !"-To be active, or 1 inactive, is the question which the Wings of Connecticut must settle for themselves. The | responsibility is with them, and with them alone. If inaction can be rcconciled with duty, at a crisis like the present, then we say -sleep on!
 If sleep is sweet, oH the eve of an engage ment in which the best interests of our State are to be periled, than we say to the Wings of Connecticut ut-sleep on!
 If honor is nothing, and patriotism is but dream of the demagogue, then we say to the Whigs of Connecticut--sleep on
 Sleep on sleep and dream on But when civil discord hath disturbed your slumber, and :he knocking of Subterranean democ.