Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1880-11-05
Infinite Distances of Heavens.

The methods OF 6odlog the distances OF the
stars of stellar para,x is one of the interesting
problems of modern astronomy. In the days
of old the stars we're supposed to hold the same
position 10 regard to each other from age to
age, aud were therefore called fxad stars, to
Distinguish them from planets. n ,thing can
be further from the truth. The telescopes
show that the stars are in constant motion, but
the rate of motion is 30 SLOW that thousands of
years must elapse before the eye CID perceive
any change. Some stars are coming toward Us
and some are recedpR from Us. The SUD, which
is only s.ar, is moving with ell the planets IN
bis trsiu. Our earth, which Is but sn atom
among atoms is whirng, no one kooWs
whittier, through ilimitable space. Even the
serene heavens above Us IS this same space,
pervaded by infinitely subtle ether. whose par
ticl s are seethiug and surging like waves OF the
stormy sea, The motion of the stars once es'
tsblished. it must follow that some of them are
nearer to Us than othere, and very persistent
and psiustaking have been the Efforts to Ind
out of which the shining SUBS OF space ara our
nearest neigbbors. -,
Success has. however, crowned patient labor.
Among the so 100000 stars that Rllmmer 10
the 6rmanent, there are about q zen stars
visible 10 our latitude that have paralla1 rang
ing from tenth to half second. 1t would be
natural TO suppose that the brightest stars are
nearest, but this is far from being the case.
The nearest star 10 the northern heavens is
doubl, s.ar of the fifth magnitude in the Swan.
koowu as Gl Cygni. The brilliant Sirius Is
nearly tTi 10 as far away. The nearest star
n the wnole heavens is Alpha CeniaurI; q
bright star near the south pole. 1his
has parsllsx of nine tenths of q second, and Is
twic, az near as any other star LIS distance Is
computed as more than 20 600, 900 OF millions
of miles. II such b, the uncomfortable distance
separating us from the nearest star, what idea
can the faite mind form of the lnmeus'ty OF
sp.ce intervening bstween US and the more re-
moe?
Vigorous work is now b,og done in stellar
psraox by what is called B4ssells method. A
star with proper motion, or one that mas oeen
fouud to approach or recede from the suo Is
selected and it's position is compared night after
nip ht by means Of the N c:omet,r. with other
sm all stars in the vicinity having 10 proper
motion, and, therefore. presumed to be further
sway. The star with proper motion will change
its position 10 regard to tho moro remote ones
when observed from different parts OF the
earth orbit Some interesting and Intricate Work
of this kind has bsen successfully completed at
| Mr.. Seagrave' private observatory by MIR. wal
do and Mr.. Seegrave. The problem W was TO &C.
termine the parallax of star called Theta Cas.
siopeia. This, by measuring its position and
distance from two small stars 10 the Vicinity,
was found to be less than ono teoth of second.
These enthusiastic astronomers worked upon
the problem from tho first of September, 1878.
to the first of Novsmbr. 1879 During that
time they made measureme ents of each star on
one hundred and twenty nights A trained
eve, keen perception, and mathematical pre-
cision, as we'll as patience and persistence. were
involved 10 the solution of this delicate and in-
tricate problem. These are the m?ans by
which astronomy has wcn lis most brilliant TIL,
umpbs, end those who you'll become prac1ca'
ASTRONOMERS must give their nights to obserVa-
ton and their days to study.-Rfouldence
7ourunL