The lynx. (Panola, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1845-1845, 1845-09-13


planets, and is consequence Of their
rapid rotation in their polar axes.
Yet in the case of Saturn, Herschel
believed that he actually saw fgnre
to the disc which indicated the exist
ence Of the largest diameter passing
through a point4 Q Gym. distant from
the Equator of the planet; according
10 measures then made this largest dia-
meter, the Equatorial diameter and the
polar diameter were as the numbers
Sc, 35, and 50.
Besse, after a full examination of
the subject, comes to the conclusion that
the rings can exert no influence to
make the globe of Saturn protruberant
at point distant from the equator
lie thinks that Herschel's measures
were made with imperfect apparatus;
and al time when u considerable O.
pening of the rings wodd be calculal-
ed 10 deceive. To settle this question,
he Instituted /! a~eries OF accurate mea-
suremen,s with the great Heliometer
Of the noniftPgssJhaH . observatory at the
last disappearance Of the rings Of Sat-
arm, and at time when the planet,
entirely Invested Of its appendages,
would be seen and measured to the
greatest advantage. The result agreed
SO perfectly with the complete diane
ter on the elliptic hypothesis as to leave
no doubt Of the accuracy Of Bessel's
conclusions.
The problem Of the equilibrium Of
the rings Of Saturn has already been
adverted to. as one of great difficulty:
theory which may satisfactorily &C.
count for their formation, seems 10 be
still more difficult. In case La Places
| theory Of the formation Of the universe
&c sub9erted by the discoveries of the
great Reflector OF the Earl Of Rose,
we shall be left entirely without the
means Of accounting for these singular
and anomalous objects.
Visiters who may examine Saturn
at he Observatory, will render their
visit more agreeable to themselves by
directing their attention to the fol-
lowing objects:
l.. The Inequality in the spaces be-
tween the planet and the ring.
2. The dark line which divides the
ring into Two parts, and which runs
nearly parallel 10 the outer boundary
of the ring.
3. The longer and shorter diamcters
OF the planet, or its flattening nj the
poles;
4. The number and position OF The
Satellites, and their distance from the
border Of the ring;
! D. The shadow cast by the planet
on the ring and that cas-, by the ring
on the planet:
6. This dark belts or stripes which
are sometimes seen near the equator of
the planet;
Z. The existence of brighter or dark
er spots on the surface Of the ring and
| planet.
Op the evening OF Monday the 4th
inst, Sat was examined under cir
cumstances peculiarly favorable. The
atmosphere wds remarkably transpa-
rent and perfectly free from undula-
tons. The disc Of the planet and the
edge Of the rings We're perfectly sharp
and we'll defined. The clock which
moves the telescope Id Right Assertion,
was adjusted to the motion of Saturn.
and a full sci Of fiicrometeical measures
were made.
The results from these measures
coincide REMARKABLY well with those laid
I down 10 the Nautical Almanac, compu-
ted frotfi the determinations of Prof.
Bessel, obtained from measures with
the Heliometer Of Koningsberg Obser-
vatory. The appearance of the planet
exceeded in beauty any thing | ever
seen. The globe was crossed near the
equator by a dark belt, while on the
under side of the ring, where it crosses
the planet its shadow was distinctly vi
lble, causing the ring to stand out
from the body Of the planet. The dark
line separating the two rings was per-
fectly distinct and was traced almost
entirely round the ring.
As the planet reached its greatest ele-
walton above the horizon the purity of
the atmosphere was such as TO exhibit
distinctly the smallest Satellite, just