Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-11-15
REVELATIONS OF THE rELEsoopE.

1ss REVELATIONS OF The TELESCOPE.ssss
The following is from the scientific work. soon to
appear called the UnsOe'ss no Dessrf t"e 60rs no
B Monopoly
Such is the aspect of clear nocturnal sky to the
unaided vision. Imposing as it is. and suggestive
of serious contemplation and reflections it is the
spectacle may be expanded indefinitely. Applica-
ton of that megic instrument the telescope, displays
more magnificent scene, one bewilderlng IN It's
wide extent and brighter rays. Sparkles OF night
are now become dense and numerous clusters |;
. cloudy specks are spacious gelds of glory thckly
sprinkled with sparkling orbs; or are continued
sheet of lambent fame widely twisted into spiral
masses single stars are separated into double ana
multiple components, beautfed by variety OF col
or and depth of tint Some are seen revolving in
duplicate and others in trpicate around each 9TH
err and still farther carried to such degree OF COM
plexity as almost to battle the searching analysis OF
mathematical investigation. Nebulae assume new
shapes and become more luminous. Instead of the
eight thousand stars observed by the naked eye In
all directions, now reckon our galaxy alone to
contain at least eighteen millions visible through
opticle aid Instead of one solitary Milky May, we
number some four thousand nebule, unseen except
by the telescope eye, and many OF them estimated
equal to our own in magnitude. There IS also
variety in these luminous tracts, some even SEEM
ing to be diffused suns filling large orbtal area
We likewise observe variable stars increasing and
diminishing their lustre, and differing in periods of
circulation Indeed, the depths of the heavens sur
pass the surface in every particular of wonder.
Even the modest members of our own system be-
come augmented in importance. Sublimity shines
through the telescope. Mercury and Venus are
found to pass through all the lunar phases to our
assisted vision as do to the outer planets the
crescent, the half moon, the gibbous phase, and
the full occur to them in regular succession. Mars
presents his gbbous disk Jupiter discloses his lit
tie quaternion of satellites revolving around sphe-
roidal form encrcled by remarkable belts. Saturn's
dull, leaden appearance is changed into globe of
FURNISHED silver, furnished only by its equatorial
belts and surrounded by several shining rings, as
we'll an industrious company of revolving moons.
Uranus Neptune, and thirty astertirods-one
for each State in the American Union-have been
dragged from their obscure hiding places, and recog-
missed as native members of our solar circle Comets
are followed far beyond our former terminus of Wis
ibiity as they fly to their aphelion extremes, and
are caught up, their return long before the ma
tural eye discerns lucid film upon the armament.
Our radant satellite is changed from sharp and
slender crescent into object with notched edges,
rugged inequality, and margin glittering with
beads of light while slvery plate u circular form,
soed with dim spots now appears perfect globe
ndented with vast caverns and variegated by lofty
mountains and beetling precipices. The dazzling
sun himself is found marked with spots of various
shapes, shades, and sizes, sometimes dimming his
very effugence. Even the motions of the celestial
bodies become distinctly perceptible, diagonal in
their directions thus portrayng their relative and
proper progress, and revealing the real motion OF
globe. Rest is reduced to a mere chimera
of Imagination. Matter knows no such predicament.
The motion of change is universally unexception-
able.