The Recent Progress of Astronomy; Especially in the United States (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1856. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Uranus; and that its discovery by Galle must be regarded as a Happy accident. Besides that solution of the problem which Le Verrier and Adams obtained, there is another solution which corresponds to the orbit and mass of Neptune. The fact however that Neptune does not correspond to Le Verrier's solution can not detract from the merit or value of his investigation. Since, by using all the observations within his reach, he found an orbit and mass capable of accounting for the observed motions of Uranus, he is entitled in the opinion of mathematicians to all the admiration he would have received had such a planet actually moved in that orbit. To some it has appeared a matter of surprise that the new planet was not sooner discovered. Le Verrier's second memoir, which assigned the probable place of the disturbing body, was presented to the Academy on the first of June, 1846; and his third memoir (containing every thing which Dr. Galle had in his possession at the time of his discovery) was presented August 31st; yet Galle's discovery was not made till September 23d. What were the astronomers of Paris doing meanwhile ? Why did they not immediately point their telescopes to the heavens? Why did they neglect the opportunity of securing to France the glory of both the theoretical and practical discovery, and leave to a German astronomer the verification of the sublimest theory of modern science ? The answer is plain. The astronomers of Paris did not expect to find a planet within one degree of the place computed by Le Verrier. Le Verrier himself did not expect it. He assigned the most probable place of his planet in longitude 325 . He expressed the opinion that its longitude would not be less than 321, nor more than 335 . But he adds, "If the pla...