A New or Improved Geocentric Astronomical Chart, also applicable as and for a Game.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 14th May, 1892-Accepted, 9th July, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Geocentric Astronomical Chart, also applicable
as and for a Game.
I, ARTHUR HILTON MOLESWORTH, of 15 Park Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Barrister, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates to a new or improved geocentric astronomical chart for
recording the apparent movements of the heavenly bodies through the signs of
the zodiac. A number of concentric circles, representing the paths of the
different heavenly bodies are formed around a small central circle representing
the earth, the distance of each of the said circles from the centre being pro-
portionate to the distance of the particular body, whose path is thereby
represented, from the earth. An outer circle describes the plane of the ecliptic
containing the twelve signs of the zodiac. All the said circles are alike inter-
sected by six equidistant diametrical lines limiting each of the twelve signs to
their 30 degrees, thus enabling the student to see at a glance the exact aspects
The
which the Sun, Moon, and planets are assuming towards each other.
different heavenly bodies are represented by small spheres, which may be of such
varying sizes as will convey a graphic idea of the proportionate magnitude of
the bodies they severally represent. The accurate daily positions of these bodies
may be ascertained by reference to Zadkiel's Ephemeris for the year, or to
Philips' Revolving Orrery for Planetary Positions, and the spheres placed in
position upon the chart to present a bird's eye view of the universe.
The chart
may be constructed of card, metal, wood, or woven fabric stretched over wood
or other soft material and the spheres may be mounted ou pins, or arranged
to slide in annular gooves in the said chart.
For recording positions in the zodiac, it is of course necessary that the apparatus
should be, as it is, formed on the geocentric principle, but as the Earth's place is
given upon either side of the Sun, it will be readily understood that the Sun's
apparent motion through the signs here results from the Earth's motion through the
opposite signs.
When this apparatus is employed as, and for, a game, certain definite moves are
allowed each celestial body. Opposite players take the planets representing,
according to ancient astrology, the good and evil powers respectively, those
representing the neutral powers being common property.
1001
66
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Geocentric Astronomical Chart, also applicable
as and for a Game.
I, ARTHUR HILTON MOLESWORTH, of 15 Park Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Barrister, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :—
This invention relates to a new or improved geocentric astronomical chart or
calendar for recording the apparent movements of the heavenly bodies through

page_text: the signs of the zodiac. As shewn in the accompanying drawing, this char
consists of a number of concentric circles a representing the paths of the
different heavenly bodies, and formed around a small central circle or spot
representing the earth, the distance of each of the said circles, from the centre
being proportionate, as nearly as possible in so small a space, to the distance of
the particular body, whose path is thereby represented, from the earth. An
outer circle c describes the plane of the ecliptic containing the twelve signs of
the zodiac. All the said circles are alike intersected by six equidistant
diametrical lines d limiting each of the twelve signs to their 30 degrees, thus
enabling the student to see at a glance the exact aspects which the Sun, Moon,
and planets are assuming towards each other. The different heavenly. bodies
are represented by small spheres, which may be of such varying sizes as will
convey a graphic idea of the proportionate magnitude of the bodies they severally
represent. The accurate daily. positions of these bodies may be ascertained by
reference to an astronomical ephemeris for the year, and the spheres placed in
position upon the chart to present a bird's eye view of the universe. The chart
may be constructed of card, metal, wood, or woven fabric stretched over wood,
or other soft material, and the spheres may be mounted on pins, or arranged
to slide in annular grooves in the said chart.
For recording positions in the zodiac, it is of course necessary that the apparatus
should be, as it is, formed on the geocentric.principle, but it will be readily under-
stood that the Sun's apparent motion through the signs here results from the Earth's
motion through the opposite signs.
It will be readily understood that the apparatus described may be made in any
size, from that of a watch, or less, and that the whole of the moving parts may be
actuated by clockwork, electric, or other machinery, so as to be self-recording. It
will be understood that the said machinery forms no essential part of the invention.
In the larger sizes, the planets may be represented by globular electric, gas or
other lamps which may have their names painted upon them in large letters. The
said representations of the planets may be caused to revolve upon their own axes as
well as around the Sun, or Earth.
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This apparatus may be employed to shew the different positions of the signs of
the zodiac, and the various planets at different hours of the day by arranging it in
combination with a clock dial. One way of accomplishing this is to mount the
geocentric chart or celestium" on an axis which carries an index hand or pointer,
which, when the celestium is rotated, travels over a stationary twenty-four hour
clock dial. This dial is supported on a horizontal bar, or other support representing
the Earth's horizon, which passes across the centre of the chart or celestium dividing
it into two equal portions. When the pointer indicates a given hour on the dial,
the planets and signs of the zodiac, that at that hour are above the Earth's
horizon lie above the said horizontal bar, while those below the Earth, are to be
seen below the bar, while those degrees occupying the east and west extremities of
the line, are those actually rising and setting. By this means the movements of the
various heavenly bodies may be readily illustrated.
In a modified arrangement of this form of my invention the pointer moving over
the clock dial may be attached to the celestium and arranged to point inwards
Lowards the centre of the clock dial over which it travels. The centre of this dial
may have a map marked upon its surface and may also have a magnetic needle
mounted upon it. A vertical wire may be arranged in front of the celestium to
indicate the position of the equator.
An helio-geocentric form of this chart or celestium may be formed at pleasure by
the transposition and reversal of the spheres representing the sun and the Earth.
In such case it is obvious that the spheres representing the moon, as the nearest
body to it, and also Venus and Mercury, being the next nearest bodies, will accompany
the earth and have their circles of motion reversed.
It will thus be seen that the "geocentric celestium" is readily convertible into a
"helio-centric celestium" for purposes of instruction, observation and exhibition.

page_text: When this apparatus is employed as and for a game, certain definite moves are
allowed each celestial body. Opposite players take the planets representing,
according to ancient astrology, the good and evil powers respectively, those
representing the neutral powers being common property."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) The general arrangement and construction of a "celestium" consisting of a
chart having a number of concentric circles, indicating the paths of the different
heavenly bodies, intersected by six equidistant diametrical lines which divide the
whole into the twelve signs of the zodiac.
(2) The employment of spheres of different size as means of indicating the
different heavenly bodies, such spheres being mounted on pins which engage with
suitable holes in the "celestium or which slide in concentric annular slots, or move
on wire or metal supports, as hereinbefore described.
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(3) The arrangement of a "celestium" such as that described in the first
preceding claim in combination with a twenty-four clock dial and pointer in order
that the position of the different signs of the zodiac may be indicated at any hour
of the day substantially as herein before set forth and described.
"
(4) The employment of a " celestium as and for a game, the spheres repre-
senting the different heavenly bodies being manipulated by the players substantially
as described.
Dated this 14th day of May 1892.
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention" Office. 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
66
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention "Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.