Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-03-02
ASTRONOMICAL FACTS AND FAKGIES.

The following curious and interesting
bits of Astronomical information, are from
a recent lecture by Prot. Lowering of
Cambridge, before the Lowell Institute
of Boston. We copy them from the
Boston TruceUer
In their distance from the sun, the
planets vary greatly, ranging between
37,00O,000 and 2,7O0,000,D0o miles,
Ia size there is great difference, and
the earth ranks among the smaller plan
cts. The interior planets, as a rule, are
smaller than the exterior ones. The |
quantity Of matter which planet con-
tains is found by weighing it, and this is
done by means of its attraction of gravi-
tation. Some are light as cork, others
heavy as lead. The density OF the-earth
is five times as great as that OF water.
In the period of revolution about the
sun there is also great difference. Mer-
curry occupies S8 of our days, and Nep-
tune 10000.
As the satellites Of planet are COM
monty near it, their motion is about the
same; full moon moves a little faster
than the planet, and new moon a little
slower
In regard 10 the diurnal revolutions
there Is also a dil erence. Mercury re-
wolves about the sun in 50 of Mercury's
days, and Neptune in 10000 Of Nep-
tunes days. The nearest of Jupiter's
satellites is about the same distance from
it as our moon; the remotest is !, 100000
miles. The solitary satellite of Neptune
is probably solitary only in our books.
The lecturer here described the diff
culties attending the exhibition of the
operation Of the solar system by means
of an orrery, since in order to make the
larger objects perceptible an area Of 2500
acres Of land would be necessary for the
orbit, and a microscope and telescope
would be necessary to detect the more
minute and distant objects. The earth
was not large enough for an orrery which
could include visible stars.
The difficulty had led an old French
astronomer to say that an ordinary Or
rery gave about as adequate an idea
of the operations of the solar system as
the smell Of tar did of a first rate man.
of-war. The figure of all the planets il
nearly that of a sphere. In the Earth the
equatorial diameter exceeds the polar by
26 miles, and in Jupiter 5000 miles
The satellites revolve SO slowly that the
D force is less than On their primaries.
He next considered the physical geog
raphy of the planets.
Mercury awinkles like star, and OF
account of its variableness quicksilve
: was named for it. 1t has been the but
of much ridicule from astronomers, an,
one describes it as the Squirting lac
quey of the sun, who never shows hi
head, as if he were in debt" 1t is
i difficult planet to discover or examine
but spots are green upon ii, which al
supposed to be mountains, and one is des
cribed as volcano in active operation.
Venus is distinguished for its use t
Il seaman in taking latitude and longitude
.. both of which can be obtained from it,
Although small, its proximity to th
earth renders it bright, and sometime
IL visible even at MONDAY. Bonaparie, i
going to Luxemberg, was surprised t
:. see the people gazing at the sky instea
Of him. They saw Venus by dayligh
and regarded If as his star Of destiny.
=, The mountains of Venus, as compete
. by some, are five times higher than tho:
-v of the Earth. Large telescopes are NJ
Ls used to advantage in observing this plar
= ct. 1t is surrounded by a very deni
/ atmosphere, and its time Of rotation is z
h. hours.
as Mars has the closest resemblance
IT. the Earth Of all the planets. Its rude
ur color was formerly supposed to indica
ge its peculiar atmosphere, but it has no
ID. been decided to be the real tints of Il
,.- continents upon it, as if they were cor
he posed Of red sandstone. It's lighter spc
are inferred TO be caused by snow up
it, and are its most observable featur,
al Jupiter is the largest planet, but It
zoo so far from the Earth as not to be plain
10 visible. Not much is known in rega
eIe to the peculiarities Of its surface.
on Saturn, on account Of its livid h,
ck was taken by the sneients as the emble
he Of lead. The ribbons or belts which a
his seen about it, have been decided, r.,
me their variable character, not 10 be pa
Of the planet. Its period Of rotation
ten hours and sixteen minutes
led Herschel supposed it 10 be fattened