The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-17

astronomer, connected with ale college al New
Haven, to a scientific gentleman in Lynn. Il
will be found highly interesting to mon Of science
detailing some astonishing change in the great
machinery of Nature :-Litehfed tconn) Eng.
*s*s There is certainly some extraor-
binary change going on in the solar sys-
tenn. Whether the result will be speedy
dissolution Of the present harmonious ar
ranpement. is Of course known only TO
Him who Instituted the laws which govern
the course Of the stars. For some time
my attention has been directed to the ra.
pidly developing phenomena, and have
been assisted in my observations by gen.
tlemen Of great scientific at,ainmen.s.
And within few days | have have had
placed in my hands paper from the
celebrated astronomer HanA, Of Berlin,
detailing his own discoveries, and indca-
ting that the subject is beginning to excite
intense interest among the scientific of
Europe.
1t is evident that the inclination Of the
earth's axis with the eclip,ic is changing.
There is now nearer approach to coin
cidence of equator and ecliptic than has
ever before been known. Since the au-
sumnal equinox, the obliqui,y in the
earth's course has sensibly diminished !;
and il the counterac.ing influence inter-
venes there will soon be perceptible
change in the seasons and the relative
lengths of days and nights.
The change is so great already. that
many intricate calculations for the present
year will be found inaccurate. Some of
the important calculations oftle National
Almanac will soon be found perplexing to
the mariner as he takes his observations.
And some Of those before highly useful
tables Of 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 con-
tinues. An experienced and intelligent
shipmaster, a day or two since, casually
observed TO me, that OH a recent voyage
from the East Indies, when he sailed
about six degrees to the north of the
equator-,he region from which the North
Star is usually first seen after crossing the
line, the haze rendering it invisible W lille
near the horizon-he was astonished and
perplexed in his observations. un-
usual observation of his thermometer from
the time indicated by stellar observation,
led him to doubt the accuracy Of his for
mer 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, Apri!
Is, June l6, August %. and December
~, when all true time keepers should
agree with the sun, the chronometer will
be found essentially varying, and many
other impor.an. results will be developed.
An attentive and accurate observer in the
high ATTITUDES, even at next solslicc, can
not fail TO recognize various astonishing
phenomena.
But the changes going on in regard TO
the earth, are not less remarkable perhaps
than those which are affecting some of the
other planets. The poles Of Venus to all
appearance, are now elevated full thirty
five degrees, and she seems to be chang
ing from her former clear radicncc to a
color approaching TO that of Mars /; the
change in this particular, however, is as
yet slight. barely susceptible, under close
observation, 10 the naked eye. by the
aid of powerful glass, there may be per-
ceived what appear TO be waves of fire
rolling over her disc.-I'his appearance
I have watched with much interest; il
commenced some months since, on the
southern limb, and gradually advanced
over the whole breadth, ill the planet
was completely enveloped. The motion
of this planet in her orbit, too. seems TO
be retarded. as though she was under the
influence of some new power or altrac-
ton.
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-seenls to have
broken the bonds which( Ne connected
it to the solar system. and commenced its
course as member Of some remote ce.
lestial reiinue.
Saturn is also assuming an unwonted
aspect. TO all appearance there is a
mighty conhagration going on in the
hitherto dark lines which divided her
rings. TO such an extent has it already
attained, that in one or two places the
whole breadth has assumed the appear
ance Of ragged ranges, glowing as if they
were red hot iron, and throwing lurid
reflection upon the adjacent portion Of the