The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-07-26
THE STUDY OF ASTRONOMY.
ten for the Journal BY VIM. Dawson


time and gazed up among the stars to learn
their places, their Names and their motions if
any could be noticed There is thrill of inter
est, a real charm, in contemplating the starry
heavens, not found in the busy rounds of day
life The people of early times-in the first
ages of the Worthwhile hunting for meat and
tending their focks by night were led to study
the stars-to divide them into groupings or con-
stellations This is convenient for astronomical
purposes, as well as having the land divided into
states and provinces for the study and purposes
of geography. But the first observers had no
books to instruct them like we have now. They
must be their own teachers as well as do their
own studying The experience Of Others in
well-written book, is great help, by saving
much unnecessary looking and thought But
we can now well afford to read and
do some thinking for the knowledge
work by Professors Sharpless and Philips the
former of Hayerford College, near Philadelphia,
which think is the best for either school use or
home reading Of any small astronomical work
know of. The style is easy and charming; the
type is exceedingly clear and plain; and the
illustrations so ineligible that they seem almost
like apparatus itself in the hands of skillful
teacher. Any person who feels a slight wish to
learn the elements of this noble science would do
well, think to obtain copy of this work. 1t
is published by ]. B. Lippincott 6 Co., Phila-
delphia. With it, a star atlas and telescope,
even good spy glass the intelligent amateur is
we'll supplied with aid for obtaining much
knowledge of astronomy
To- oYlxr
some means of regulating the clock, so as to
have nearly exact time; but had no noon-mark,
nor compass by which to make one supposed
the north star was exactly north, all the time.
So one night put UP two plumb-lines, the north
one on high pole, and made them to range with
the north star, intending next day to watch
when the sun came in range with them, at which
time an assistant at the south door was to mark
the edge of the shadow for permanent noon
mark But sooon found two or three difficult
ties. Next morning the star was out of range, 1
hardly thought the pumblnes had been moved
in the night, though it was possible; the second
evening they were all right, but
off again next morning. Surely the star had
moved but why or how much | could not tell.
/ looked and studied for the cause; inquired of
several persons but no one could tell me. At
ter many days / found Burritt's Geography of
the Heavens in which learned that the north
star is not in the north pole, but near degree
and half from IT. So the rotation Of the earth
made the star appear to swing, as it were from
east to west aound the pole-the same cause
that makes the sun to rise and set Then,
of course it would be due north twice in twenty
four hours-but when9 found that certain two
stars, Gamma and Delta, in the Great Dipper.
passed the meridian about the same time that
Poaris 1.-THE north starr did l could see when
these two dipper stars were near the meridian
without any measurement; and was sure that
Poaris was then north, or nearly so. set the
plumb-lines to range with it, and now had a
north and south hne-a meridian-at least near
enough for my purpose. One point gained. But
observed that the door-frame lin theold log housed
was not perpendicular; and this spoiled
my calculation for noon-mark. However, the
two plumb-lines, of fine wire, could be fixed
about three feet from the east end of the house,
and secured with some degree of permanence
Having prepared smoked glass now had fair
means of knowing when the sun was south
could easily apply the equation of time, and as
certain very nearly the moment of noon. You
say this was curious regulator; so 1t was; but
it was my own, and knew it was nearly correct;
for it stood the oft-repeated test of ranging with
Polaris when the star was nearly or quite due
north, either above or below the pole of the
heavens. Many day observed the sun pass
ing the range of these vertical wires by which
the clock was kept very near-say within min
ute of-true time. No need of being too early
or late at any meeting or place of business at a
set time. Nowadays, when regulators are plenty,
and watches vastly plentier, most people may
OBTAIN correcs uine very easliy Du1 sun me "a
young a a p Wants V Allo" now anu oo-
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chanical ability. Generally it might be ad-
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