Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-10-22


unchangng principle which binds all the celestial bodies
into an harmonious whole To estimate the suns diane
ter We need have only the distance and period Of an
other body and the value Of the diameter at once to b,
obtained. We will take the as our means Of OBJ
tanning the diameter of the SUM-
The moons sidereal period Of revolution round tho
earth is 2732l days. its distance from the earth
being 237, 3l9 miles, Hersches Outlines J the diane
ter Of its orbit is miles, the suns period of roa
ton is 252S2 days; then take > 90 parts of 474 eSe
miles multiply the obtained product by p deduct from
the product 1920 being the miles of the earths da-
meter) the remainder is the diameter Of the sun in
miles
We give this popular expression of the formula for
write for those unacquainted with the notation Of algebra
well for those who read statements in algebraic
characters.
We will show the process, taking the circumfer-
of the moons orbit and deducing the circumference
of the suns then changing this circumference into da-
meter, thus
1A907lGx % 282=376882Sl
3768828l -.27 .321=l379462
1379i62A 3. 14l5=439096
439O9Gx2 =S7Sl92
S7Sl92-7920 ==S70272
An obiging friend WHO'S accomplished mathema-
tican, obtained from data result of $40, 272 0S
miles, which varies from result less than mile
Our result as the SUMS diameter 272 miles, which
differs only los miles from its actual diameter, viz
S7o,lG miles, which, when used as the unit of measure
in the previously stated formula gives its answer in solar
days.
Those who believe in what termed the common Gen.
tire of gravity Of the earth and moon will not ask the
son why the earhs diameter is deducted for ourselves
we do not believe in the centre of gravity.
One explanation to be required 1t will be said
that the principle of the equality of motion, the . -,
part of the diameter of the moons orbit should give
whole, not the half diameter of the
There is principle of planetary motion which is not
yet discovered by the present astronomy and this
principle which is destined to throw much light the
harmony of planetary motion For instance, why is a
lunation synodic period of the moon, say so days,
affixed to distance of say 60 semi-diamcers of the
earth? The principle the question for rotation
commensurate With revolution is half Of the velocity Of
luton
Look at the sun rs it rotaes its axis spot passes
under the eye at rate which will complete revolution
in 25282 days. and call this 25282 days the period
of the suns rotation. But, while this spot is motion
in one direction, point opposite the other hem-
sphere of the sum- is in motion in opposite direction
also completing a rotation in 25. 2S2 days Thus we
have double rotation. Look at the all the
matter of which it is composed has one motion in Iii
recton completing its sdereal period in 1881 days
The principle obscurey perhaps revealed by this state
ment can be made clear to any one but the limits of
paper forbid a further discussion Of the subject.
The of the formula will give the period of
the suns rotation from its diameter If know one,
either period or diameter, know the other. da-
meter of s70 G miles belongs to period of 25282 days.
and 870 is the unit of which used in the
formula for obtaining the periods of the revolution of the
planets from their distances the in which
is in solar dys The diameter of the is therefore
obtained and is given why this diameter should
be used the unit of distance in the calculation of the
periods of the planets.
And prepared to show in another paper, we be-
eve most concusvey that the suns rotation is exact
ly 25.2S20S7 days, in sidereal time, the rotating
l4.4S6S76 times in a solar year. S. E. COUES.
WASHINGTON, October 30, 1853