Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-03-13
The Central Sun.

Mr. Maedler, the author of the recent inves-
legations with reference to the Central Sun, has
long been known to the astronomical world as
the successor of M. Struva in the direction of
the observatory at Dorpat His computations
of the orbital movements of the double stars
have given to hip deservedly high reputation,
and the great theory which he has propoundod
is only given to the world after long and paa
tient examination, extending through seven
years.
1t is impossible here, to do justice to the pro-
found and elaborate investigation of the learned
author of this grca speculation. Assuming
Alcyone as the grand centre of the millions of
stars composing our astral system, and the di-
rection of the suns motion, rs determined by
Argelender and Strive, he tisssesA Aho con-
sequent movements of all the stars In every
quarter of the heavens. Just where the swift
est motions should be found, there they actually
exist, either demonstrating the truth of the
theory, Or exhibiting the most remarkable and
incredible condolences. We shall not pursue
the research. After profound examination,
Maedler reaches the conclusion that Alcyone,
the principal star in the group of Pleiades, now
occupies the centre of gravity, and is at present
the sun about which the universe of stars com
posing our astral system are all revolving.
Here then, we stand on the confines OF the
unknown. One mighty effort has thus been
made to bring beauty and order out of the chaos
Of motion which has hitherto distinguished the
stars of heaven. Once the planets; freed from
law, darted through space, or relaxing their
speed, actually turned back on their unknown
routes. Chaos reigned among these flying glo-
ries until the mind, rising by the efforts of its
own genius, reached the grand centre of the
planetary orbs, and 10 confusion ceased, and
harmony and beauty held their sway among
those circling worlds. The same daring human
genius which sweeping across the interplanetary
spaces, finally reached the controlling centre o'
our own giant system, has now boldly plunged
into the depths of space, has swept across the
: interstellar spaces, and roaming from star tc
star, from sun to sun, from system to system
0 looks out upon the universe of stars, and seek
that point from whence the millions OF sweeping
t suns shall exhibit that grand and masnlfcen
e harmony which doubtless reigns throughout th
vast empire of Jehovah.
G We are too apt to turn away from the hrs
e efforts to resolve these mighty problems. HOY
II were the doctrines of Newton received! Ho,
" much regard was paid to Herschel's grand thee
n ry of the solar motion And yet how triumph
l. antly have these great theories been established
'e But do you inquire if there is any possibility c
he proving or disproving the doctrines Of Maedier
The answer is simple. Should the time eve
is come when the direction of the solar motto
l. shall be sensibly changed in consequence of i
r curvilinear character, then will the plan
" which this movement lies be revealed, and the
II, the centre about which the revolution is perfo
v. med must be made known, at least in direction
mt Should the line reaching across this grand ce
IS tire pass through Alcyone, this added to all t
ar other evidences will fly forever the question
- its central position. We know not when tt
sr, great question may be settled. But judgi
est from the trumphs which have marked the
'ut reer of huma- genius hitherto, we do not d'
of to doubt of the final result
The Admitting the truth of Maedlers theory,
son are led to some of the most astonishing resu
vas The known parallex Of certain fixed stars 81
) it to us an approximate value of the parallex
- Alcyonc, and reveals to us tho distance OF
ION grand centre. Such is the enormous inter
ge, separating the sun from the central star ah
put which it performs its mighty revolution, tt
Ing the light from Alcyone requires period OF
Tor years to traverse the distance And ii we
line to rely on the angular motion of the sun
the system, and already determined, ut the ent
lem $4,000, 900 years, this great luminary, with
ikh its planets, satellites and comets, will have c.
uld pleted one revolution around its grand centr
of Look out tonight on the brilliant conste
dol tions which crowd the heavens. Mark the
It's fguration Of these stars. Five thousand "
me ago the Chaldean shepherd gazed on the 81