Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-11-12

FOR THE NATIONAL IsrELrIorscKR.
Formula Of Mr.. CoUEs for obtaining the period q
The Suns rotation ON ITS aGis.

of the SUM- We will now proceed to give method
of calculating the period of the suns rotation on Its
axis.
Our calculation that the sun diameter is $40 1877
miles was based on the assumption that the sun
completes its rotary period in 25.2o2 days In or
der to prove that the true diameter is obtained it is
necessary for us to demonstrate that our assumed
period is the actual period by independent calcu
lation Both the methods or formule, that for the
deduction of the diameter and that for the deduction of
the rotary PERIOD being based the equality the
ton of the heavenly bodies preliminary explanation of
this equality of motion appears necessary.
We believe that all the spheres of the solar system have
uniform degree of velocity that they pass through
equal distances in equal times We do not speak of the
apparent motion Of these bodies but of their motion
that is, Of their passage through space.
The apparent motion Of the planets is Of every degree
of velocity. Mercury for instance in its orbit
every hour twice the distance Of the motion Of Mars his
srbt This does not disprovs the position. We see
small part only of the motion of Mars and Mercury
They with the and all the members of the solar
system around the astral centre This great motion is
invisible The the planet is to the the
of its motion is apparent; the further is the
the of its motion is absorbed and combined with the
invisible movement.
The equality Of the motion of the heavenly bodies np-
pears to glorious idea We rejoice in the contem
platon Of it, We love to ponder upon the evenly and
wideyspread power of the Supreme Being, which, it
emanates from Him, in whom there varabeness
shadow of turning worlds and systems Of worlds
with force of the intensity that with which it
mpes the fight of the most minute particle Of wreath
of vapor which, unweakened by distance undimnished
in strength it spreads from orb to orb from system to
system, doeth His will every where in the immensely of
space.
~ he firnap or tho, n anfar {ba
cuson of the principle of the equality of the motion of
the heavenly bodies in its widest and general appli
cation. But do not shrink from the expression of
faith in the soundness of the proposition We show
most concusvey that in the subdivisions of planetary
motion this equality exists and if the parts equal
the whoes, made from equal parts, are equal.
We can measure with great accuracy the velocity of
the rotation of mountain the earths equator and
we know well that opposite mountain on the other
side Of the EARTH is also in equal motion in oppo-
site direction Them if the earths rotation is completed
in day. the moons revoutions orbit of revolution
being SIXTY times the circumference of the earthis CON-
peted in thirty days. And such is the fact in round
bersi and the fractional discrepancy disappears when
minor motion Of the earth tits lunar epicyce is taken
into the calculation.
We will go from the moon to the sun. The moons
sdred period is 1882 days. its distance from the
earth 1919 miles. Then, from the principle of equa
ty Of notion the suns deal rotation being days.
the distance of the rotary surface Of the sum- e. its
half diameter, is exactly deduced and know the diam
eter of this luminary to be S7Ol67 miles.
Again, knowing the diameter of the and its period
of rotation, calculate how many miles in day its
surface at the equator From this we can deduce
1--WE speak advisedly) the average motion of the
planets Of the solar system.
Yet again: from the average visible motion of the
lol..
BILE motion of the planets around the astral centre
Such is the perfect symmetry of the solar SYSTEM and
so great its harmony of motion that it it, put
ting aside the telescope could see, with the minds
eye every motion and every distance Of its spheres
We must however, leave this discussion of the general
principle present special topic the period of the
suns rotation.
1t is impossible to obtain this period by observation
with any feelings Of certainty in the results for obser
walton gives the motion Of the macu solar spots
the motion Of the surface Of the rotating SUM- These
spots believed by astronomers to be openings breaks
in the luminous envelope They this opinion be-
large macu@ have appeared notches inden-
tations when the limb (edge) of the lumnary They
also believe that these spots have motion OF their
independent of the suns motion for it is known that
large maculs have contracted and expanded the rate
Of thousand miles hour-a velocity equal the
earths rotation Astronomers therefore, do not rely
the results Of observation these results may may
not be the true period Of the suns rotation.
The results vary from rs days to % days IA hours
The observations of Banchin corroborated by those Of
Laugier deemed by be the rei-
able These give for the sidereal period Of the suns
tation in sdereal time 25S25 days On the principle of
the equality Of notion the period Of the suns rotation
25.2e2 days. Observation and our deduction come to
very nearly the same result.
There is natural division Of the members of the solar
system into groups congeries, minor systems ncu
ded in the general system We omit explanation Of
this separation it is not necessary to present pur
pose. We select the first inner planetary group con-
ssting Of Mercury, Venus the Earth, Mars with the
Sun and Moon the spheres which below the congere
Of asteroids and from this planetary group we win de-
-duce the period OF the Suns rotation.
The method formula is as follows: We add the
mean distances and the dameters Of these spheres
and the divided by four (for the four planets) will
produce quotent representing their average distance
This average distance, shall show Is hundred
Tunes The suns diameter We double this because II is ro-
talon, reuolutO the period of which is sought We
then add to the the square the ratio between the
diameter and circumference Of circle and the square
root Of the latter is the number Of times the sun ro-
tatcs in q solar year, thus
100 < ~ 90
200 r 9.sG9T - 20o.9G97
The square root of 09.S697 ~ 144SG6764-
The sun rotates l4.4s6s76 = times in solar year
Zach period Of rotation is therefore completed in
days IN solar time and in % 2S20S1 days in
sderse nme The solar days divisions Of the year
in 800 256 equal parts the sderea DAYS the division Of
the in 366 26G equal parts for ,Lo oox. ,,. -,