The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-05-02
For the Jefersonian.
The Machinery of the Heavens.

ana uhfathomable to our conception as
eternity; surrounding the Earth on all
sides, and occupying in extent, hundreds
of other systems more extensive than our
own, is truly the most imposing, and the
most bewildering subject, that the mind
of mortals can dwell upon.
The Sun is the center of our system.
His average distance is about 95 millions
of miles. He has no orbit but revolyes
round point on its axis. The Earth,
and the other planets, revolve round the
Sun with different velocities. These
nearest the Sun move quicker, and those
at greater distance, slower. The force
of attraction is more intense on the plan
cts which move nearest; while at the
distance of Uranus, or Neptune, it is al
most powerless: consequently their speed
round the Sun is slower, which makes
their year almost as long as SO of ours;
besides the plane of their orbits describes
distance almost inconceivable
If you look at the broad expanse of
she heavens, on clear night, and watch
leisurely, you will discover too, that the
stars also revolve round their respective
centers, on the same principle, that the
Earth moves round the Sun. The aerial
field like an immense banner studded
with innumerable stars, contains the thea
tire of the universe, where each little
world performs part in the grand mech
anism of gravitation. Each moves round
its center, and has satellites according to
their proportion of magnitude. The
larger body, or center, has an attractive,
or cohesive influence over the smaller
one; and this influence is limited by the
square of the distance. Mercury moves
round the Sun with greater velocity than
the Earth; aud the Earth travels with
more velocity than Neptune.
The f!ed stars are generally seen in
groups. Their distance from our system
is immense. The most powerful optic
cannot magnify them. They are only
frightened, not enlarged to the observer,
and it has been affirmed by astronomers,
that supposing a cannon ball flying at its
usual velocity for million of years, it
would not reach one of the fixed stars
Each is sun or system, calculated to be
many hundred times more extensive than
our own. All planets, or bodies that re-
volve round in orbitual regularity, receive
light, warmth, and agreeable diversity of
climate, and local economy, from their
respective centers. Some of the planets
have satellites or moons, which describe
different orbits round them. The Earth
has only one, Jupiter four, and Saturn
six. A broad belt, or ring of fire, or
phosphoretic exhalation, circles the body
Of the latter planet horizontally. 1t is
supposed to be atmospheric comb bustion,
that exhales from the surface of the planet,
and expands by little particles, till it
but whether it disappears by atmospheric
or chemical solution, is not known.
The horizontal position of the ring
might be caused by the centrifugal force.
1t has been the means of much useful
research among scientific men.
But the most sublime feature on the
celestial scenery is the comet. What they
are, or how regulated, is not thoroughly
known. The strange visitors appear at in
definite periods, spreading CONSERVATION
aud alarm among the nations Of the earth
lingering as it were little while, and
disappearing. The immense tail, or train
of fire divergiDg from the body of the
comet, is said to extend many hundred
millions of miles The nature of the
comet is not universally understood; but
astronomers can easily explain their phys
ical properties, and predict with accuracy,
the time of their appearance.
They have very irregular orbits Long
before they appear in view, their effect is
visible on the neighboring planets. An
irregular and unsteady motion is observed
am ong them, caused by the immense and
powerful influence of attractive force
They are very large, and around what
center, or through what extent their or
bits are situated, is mystery. 1t seems
very unlikely, that they belong to the
Solar System.
The Earth is planet of the second
magnitude. 1t revoves round the Sun
on the same principle as the other plan
cts. A single revolution occupies 365
days and some minutes. 1t travels in its
orbit at the rate of 6S 900 miles an hour,
and takes "a hours to turn round once
upon its axis. A fluid, or atmosphere
surrounds the Earth on all sides, which
produces that blush expanse which We
term the skies. This atmosphere reaches
to the height of about As miles, and it
has been ascertained by competent expert
mcnt, that the weight of air around the
body of middle seized man is about ii
tons. This immense pressure is coun-
teracted by the air within our bodies, as
it has the property of procuring equllib-
rum, no matter how different in magni-
tude, two bodies, the atmosphere may be.
1t produces as We say that blush color
over head when illuminated by the light,
either of the sun, moon, or stars. A ray
of light passing from the sun to the Earth,
does so in the space of eight minutes.
The Earth has one attendant, or satel-
lite. namely. the Moon The time it oc-