The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-30

The third volume Of Humboldrs Cosmos just pub
lishsd by the HaTpers contains much Information on sub
ects astronomy, which is not easily accessible Saeh
work is important TO show 10 multitude OF minus ne
subjects which have employed so many phlIosophle
heads, and OF which so lar removed from tue
usual fields OF thought
AS affecting the distances OF bodies and the magni-
tudes of fixed stars il becomes great matter 10 discover
the intensity OF the light OF the sun, moon and stars
The difference in the light of day and of the night under
the full obvious to the common eye IA the gem
rail- but 10 determine the relative degrees OF hight Win
any accuracy not SO cary task. was good while
ago concluded that the light OF the sun is 800 00U Times
thai OF the moon Seen BY day, the moon appears no
brighter than the clouds on which the sun is shining
The largest and brightest OF all the fixed STATS Sirius, or
the dog star which is now setting nearly with The sun
Wolastorie's experiments make the light OF the sun
sol O72 times greater than that oil the full moon and the
brightness OF the sun to exceed that oil SIRIUS twenty
thousand million times Hence IT follows ihai with the
owledge distance OF Sirius, he must send form o5
times much light as the sun. II Sirius were AT The
distance with the sun, the sky and earth would DC
SO times bright IL is under the full orbed sun,
and the light would be insuerable by our eyes SIRIUS
may then be SO times large the sun; or. II oil the
magnitude the must scatter SO times as much
light What magnhcence does such a view mpafl 10 The
heavens-o the stars
While the fixed stars retain their relative distances,
they slowly approaching each other IN one part OF the
heavens. and recedng in the opposite part Herschel IN
eTred that the whole solar system is moving towards The
former, and proceeded to compute the point TO be IN or
the constellation ot!iercuies which IS on the nerd
dian little south of at nine o'clock IN the evening
Other astronomers have arrived nearly the result
from independent calculations This result has been
reached from stars north Of the equator but in few
past years the conclusion has been derived from the
southern stars The motion OF the solar system and the
direction OF that motion appear TO be established conclu
sons in astronomy This is magnificent result. While
planets and their secondares revolving round the sun
their centre the and all his attendants moving
onwads in the nfnity OF space probably in Almighty rev
ouon round some wondlons centre, and the place
Of that centre s Appropriated.
What would be the result if the canopy was
covered with stars IN successive strata, I'LL the whole was
filled with stars than the galaxy, and II the light
should pass without any interruption, and none be lost b
the distance OF the stars Oilers maintained the frmd
ment would be glow OF light The stars would moi
be distinguished; constellation would be known; the
would be noticed only BY IFS spots, and the ap
pear a black disc. The advantage OF the present
rangemeni OF the stars IS most apparent Ii would be
true ALSO tina, il the canopy shot lis rays across the sky
the dark spots on the and the dark body oil the moon
would be either luminous the the be dis
tngushed by It's present polar light # 1t did not become
brighter by The reflection OF light. Certainly the sun
moon, and earth would be the only celestial bodies and
nearly the whole Of astronomy would be not ina
gned What world of wonders IN astronomy!