The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-13
ASTRONOMER JOHN c. ADAMS.
He Shared With Leverrier the Honor
of the Discovery of Neptune.

CHEHALIs, Feb. 12.-John C. Adams, whose
death was announced from London short time
ago, was one of the worlds greatest astronomers,
His name 10 ever associated with the discovery
OF the planet Neptune and he shared with
Leverrier, the French astronomer, the honor of
that discovery. Those who have read any text
book on astronomy are familiar with the lead
ing facts connected with that great astronomi-
cal triumph. Mr. Adams relation to that re-
mnrkable mathematical victory 10 thus justly
stated by Simon Newcomb, the well known
American astronomer:
We should consider Mr.. Adams a. entitled to
the same unqualified admiration which is due
to sole di coverer, and Whatever claims to
priority be may have lost by the more fortunate
Leverrier, will be compensated by the sympathy
which must ever be felt towards the talented
young student in his failure to secure for his
work that immediate publicity which was due
to its interest and Importance.
While Mr.. Adams name is known chiefly in
connection with the discovery OF Neptune, he
won equal distinction as q mathematician In
other astronomical researches. few words
concerning his other astronomical labors may
be OF interest to the public.
The moon has ever been a subject OF serious
study with astronomers The problems which
her motions suggest are varied and complex.
The laws OF her motion once thoroughly known,
many other problems relating TO the sun and
earth sre readily solved. chief factor in
with reference to the eclipses Of ancient times.
OF course, II an eclipse occurred at certain
time and place the moon must have had a GER
tain position In the heavens at that time.
study OF ancient eclpses long since revealed
the fact that the moon is in advance of the place
she should occupy according to the theory of
her motion as deducted from the law OF grayita-
ton. The explanation Of this discrepancy was
standing problem among astronomers for a
long time, At length the French astronomer,
Laplsce, found a solution which was generally
received by the astronomical world.
IL Is a wellkuown fact that the earth's orbit
is growing more nearly circular. This change in
the form 81 the earth's orbit is however
wrought only upon the minor axis, while the
major axis remains constant. That is, the earth
is continually moving in a larger circumference
OF an ellipse whose longest diameter does not
change. The result OF this Is that the earth in
| yearly moving al q greater distance from the
sun, the greatest and least distance however re-
naming unchanged. Now the effect of this
enlargement of the circamference of the earth's
orbit is 20 lessen the Sraytational force the sun
exeris upon the moon. In other words, the
moon. being constantly released from the suns
attractive force, is brought more directly under
the attraction of the earth, and she consequently
moves in her orbit around the earth little
faster.
so reasoned Laplace; and when be computed
3
upon the moon he found the difference in the
real ami theoretical place OF the moon fairly
well accounted for.
John c. Adams was the first TO question .hs
result OF Laplace In the solution of this problem
In 1853 Mr.. Adams began series OF calcula-
tons which positively indicated that the
moons accelerated motion is not wholly &C.
counted for by the enlargement OF the earth's
orbit He calculated the effect this enlarge.
ment OF the ear;h's orbit would have upon tho
moons motion, and he reached a result showing
the moons acceleration to be Only aoout one
half the amount announced BY Lsplace so far
as this cause OF acceleration is concerned
The leading astronomers of Europe, psrticu-
larry Lsvefrier, his ssSociae victor in the dis
eoyery Of Neptune, were slow to believe Mr..
Adams result For several years q giant war
ragged u scientific circles, in which Mr.. Adams
was for time both private and commander
on his aide OF the battlefield.
The more. however, Mr.. Adams calculation,
were examined, the more convincing the truth
OF his result became, and finally every leading
astronomer acknowledged the correctness Of
his work.
The moons accelerated motion being ONLY
half accounted for by the changes in the earth's
orbit an explanation for a cause OF the other
half challenged the scientific world. This
latter cause is supposed TO reside in the In
nuence the tidal wave has upon the esrtA's
The tidal wave moving in direction con
tTary TO the diurnal motion would retaEd this
motion, il {. has any effect al all From this
follows; First. that the length OF the sideresl
day wouli De increased. and, second, the moon
would Ia course OF time appear TO be ahead O.
the place she should occupy If her motion were
in strict accordance with The lunar theory.
50 Il appears toat the moons accelerated mo-
zion Is PARTLY real ana partly Ap2Srent-real so
ar IS the enlargement Of the esrta's orois is
concerned, and apparent 50 fsr Is The retarded
diuraal motion of the earth IS coacerued
IL IL be asked how fSr the moon is ahead OF
her mean place, it may be answered thst shs
gains about oae-hsIi her own BREATH In twelve
centuries; that is, in l.-o0 years she is about
one-foarth OF degree ahead OF the place she
should occupy, sccording to>-<llar law Of
lamar motion. 49,
have said that the siden -,
longe. How much longer S