Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-04-17
RUSSELL'S URANOSCOPE.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE NATIONAL ISTELLIeENcER.
GENTLEMEN If you spare the necessary space you
columns, you will obge by inserting this communication
the object of which invite the attention of the scientif,
world and especially that Of the Regents of the Sak
sonian Institution, to instrument recently invented by
ingenious fellowtownsnan, Mr. Russell. The intended
of this instrument will be suggested to the
science by its have nothing in the shape Of
auxaies the study of astronomy that possessed many
advantages of illustration and in the hands Of professor
that branch of science, persuaded ght be made
ducve results of ncacuable Importance The plan upon
which is constructed is plain and simple as it is novel
and ingenious, and the machinery attached to it easy
comprehension that any all acquainted with the
ous revolutions and phases of the heavenly bodies may read
y present to the eye of the behoder what might almost
called panoramic view of their motions.
brief description Of the Urannscope, and Of the divers
to which may be applied may induce those who have
not it, and who feel interest in the creations Of genius
call and examine il for themselves. They will be sure
with courteous reception from the proprietor who,
having devoted much Of his tme and expended ncons
derable in bringing to present of will no;
say perfection, bu-usefuness very naturally looks nd
later among his vstes those who may be able
well willing give him fair remuneration for bis abors
and expenses, and take the instrument off his hands 1t
with this and this hope have particularly invited
who may be supposed carrying the designs of it,
benevolent and phianhropic founder, will neglect
useful branch Of "knowledge that which the insu
question is well adapted to render easy diffusion
90 among men,"
The Uranoscope is in the form OF sphere, of than
five feet in diameter composed of metal rods bars so ar
ranged "a to represent all the merdans parallels of latitude
and primary circles usually marked artificial globes. II
the room in which the instrument is shown have vaued
ceiling. and all other light lie excluded from it. except thai
which from lamp fixed in the centre of the globe, the
exhibition Of the various planetary phenomena will be render
ed beautifully distinct and perfect The medians and cir
ces will make defined shadows the face Of the vault while
the moon, stars and planets of various magniudes will
the contrary, upon their radiant rchex0n
parent covering upon which painted several hundred
stars and the figures Of the consultations may thrown
the globe pleasure and thus the vaulted ceiling becomes
at perfect representation Of the celestial hemisphere
BY Of the machinery, its motion is given to thu
earth, and all the phenomena Of rising and setting of til,
heavenly bodies brought before the beolder Every oh
jet is seen in It's appropriate phce and by changing The
machinery, which consists Of many varieties be substituted
at pleasure, better illustration than is possible give IL
words is shown Of the process o the e9tnores the equa
ton OF time, the occentcites Of the comet and many othe
phenomena which other instrument, ha, have ever seer
could adequately explain
am aware that is impossible, by any description
to give than faint idea Of such apparatus, ant
therefore it anxious you shall invite men Of science L
examine it. Besides The phenomena already mentioned
may lie used illustrate tie aspect of the heavens as seer
from the earth in every latitude the apparent annual cous
Of the through the signs Of the zodiac the moon through
her monthly her retrogiade motion Of nodes ant
what called harvest ecpscs in all their varieties
acceeraon Of the stars every form Of epse tn
revolution Of double stars and have no doubt in the hand
Of genius and science may be successfully used TO sov
many problems which at present, either all hu
! mpehectly understood.