Selected quad for the lemma: earth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
earth_n	fix_a	motion_n	star_n	2,539	5	9.5176	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A26110	Astronomy's advancement, or, News for the curious being a treatise of telescopes, and an account of the marvelous astronomical discoveries of late years made throughout Europe : with the figures of the sun, moon, and planets, with Copernicus his system, in twelve copper plates : also, an abstract to ching the distance, faces, bulks, and orbs of the heavenly bodies, the best way of using instruments for satisfaction, &c. out of the best astronomers, ancient and modern, viz. Mr. Hook, Mr. Bouilleau, Mr. Hevelius, Father Kircher, &c. / done out of French by Jos. Walker.	Walker, Joseph.	1684 (1684)	Wing A4084; ESTC R5939	21,942	80

apparent Diameter is judged by none above one Minute and some odd parts however his Body is according to Ptolomey seventy nine times according to Lansbergius forty six according to Tycho but twenty two times bigger than the Earth And at our old rate the Diameter of his Orb will be about Thirty one thousand six hundred and two Semidiameters of the Earth and the compass of his Orb about Ninety four thousand eight hundred and six of them Thus far then of the Planets their mean distance from us their bulk and Orbits SECT VII Of the fixed Stars their Magnitude and Sphere BEcause some have judged certain Comets to have mounted as high as the Sphere of the fixed Stars being that they were not able to observe they had any Parallax we will therefore here consider those Stars as we have done the Planets Ptolomey at least the forementioned Arabians deducing it from his Principles have placed the fixed Stars Nineteen thousand Semidiameters of the Earth distant from it Tycho honestly telling us that no exact or certain measures can be taken in this case conjectures them to be near about Fourteen thousand such Semidiameters distant As to the Copernicans they have another way of measuring of which anon The fixed Stars are judged very far from being all of a bigness And since the invention of Telescopes it is certain there are a multitude of them either so small or so far off us that they cannot be seen by our naked Eye however according to the usual estimate they are taken to be of six several Magnitudes Those of the first rate are conceived One hundred and eight times bigger than the Earth such are the bigger dog-Dog-Star the Bulls-Eye c. Those of the sixth and least rate only eighteen times bigger than it according to Alphraganus his Account but Albategnius his Brother Ptolomaick varies a little not very much worth insisting on However behold his whole estimate of all the Mundane Bodies If we compare says he all the Mundane Bodies as to their bigness we must acknowledge the Sun to take the first place as biggest of them all next him the fixt Stars of the first Magnitude in the third place Jupiter in the fourth Saturn in the fifth the rest of the five Orders of the fixt Stars according to their Magnitudes of 2 3 4 5 and 6th Rate in the sixth place Mars in the seventh the Earth in the eighth Venus in the ninth the Moon in the tenth and last Mercury This is also generally the Ptolomeans Opinion of the several Bodies in this Systeme of the World But I suppose it must be understood only of such fixt Stars as they knew for before the invention of Telescopes that infinite number of Stars which makes up the Galaxy or Milky Way that great number also in the Constellation of the Pleiades not seen to the naked Eye as also the innumerable number scattered through the Heavens discoverable by the help of our Glasses were not known nor therefore estimated The Diameter of the Sphere of fixt Stars if taken according to our old Rule is about Thirty eight thousand and two Semidiameters of the Earth and therefore its compass upwards of One hundred seventy four thousand and six such Semidiameters SECT VIII Of the Opinion of the Copernicans in these points and the advantage of their Systeme NOw Copernicus and his Followers placing the Sun in the Center of the World and supposing the Earth to be moved both upon her own Center daily and annually about the Sun which is far the most probable of any of the Mundane Systemes measure the distance of the Sphere of fixed Stars by the Semidiameters of the great Orb And the great Orb they call the Sphere of the Earths annual motion about the Sun For the full understanding hereof behold here the Systeme or Fabrick of the World according to the Copernican supposal Fig 11 Supposing then the Earth to be moved round the Sun in the Circle here assigned to it that Circle they call the great Orb and suppose the Semidiameter of it to be equal to 1500 Semidiameters of the Earth and the Sphere of the fixt Stars to be distant from the Earth 28000 Semidiameters of the great Orb or which is much about the same forty two millions of the Earths Semidiameters This distance indeed is vastly greater than either that assigned by Ptolomey or Tycho but yet admitting the distances assigned by either of the two later and measuring the compass of the Orb of fixed Stars thereby it is in a manner unconceivable that that Orb can be carry'd round the Earth in twenty four hours or in a natural day for in such case its motion must be many hundred times more rapid or swifter than the Shot out of any Gun For according to due Computation the very Sun it self by the Ptolomaick Hypothesis must move in one minute 13095 English Miles and in an hour 783715 Miles but the fixed Stars most vastly more namely 13513686 English Miles in one hour and in one minute not less than 225228 Miles which I think no one can well believe Yet this I say would inevitably follow upon that distance at which Ptolomey places both Sun and Fixed Stars from the Earth and much more upon the distance assigned by the Copernicans only those indeed help themselves by supposing the Earths daily motion upon its own Ax. SECT IX Of the bost way and times of using Instruments to satisfie our selves in these Curiosities THat the Quadrant or where a large Quadrant cannot be managed a Sextant and Telescopes are the most useful Instruments for both making and satisfying our selves in Discoveries of this Nature I think will not be doubted But certainly the best way to use them is in conjunction It s true there may be several cases in which we respect not much the height or place of a Star it may be all we design is to view its Colour Form Spots or the like and then the Telescope it self may suffice But because Stars appear of different Diameters or sizes according to their different height or position above the Horizon therefore we shall be able to make the exactest Observations and truest Judgment if we have to the side of a large Quadrant or Sextant duely fixed a proportionable Telescope joyned and fastned The way of fixing both it is scarce possible in words so to describe as that it will be plainly understood But these things may easily be seen and then most readily understood if we go to any Artists And being furnished with such a Machin or Instrument the best time to use it is not in the lightest Nights or when the Moon is at Full except on some particular occasions for then the Luminous Raies too much confound one another It is much best viewing the Moon at or near its Quarters But if we will see a Full Moon we must have larger and longer Telescopes than such as can be fixt to Quadrants and there are little Devices

third And thus much of the Moon SECT IV. Of the distance of Mercury and Venus from the Earth the compass of their Orbs and the bigness of their Bodies AFter what has been said of the Moon all will be much plainer touching both the other Planets and fixed Stars of which we will first consider Mercury and Venus whom we thus put together because they also as the Moon are commonly thought less than the Earth though far more distant than the Moon Mercury is by the Ptolomaicks thought to be 115 half Diameters of the Earth distant from the Earth but by Tycho Brahe 1150 and by Lansbergius 1500. Now if we will reckon according to Ptolomey Mercury will be 480355 Miles distant from the Earth whichnumber if we double and add thereto the Diameter of the Earth viz. 8354 we have the Diameter of his Orb viz. 969064 Miles which number if we treble we have near about the compass of his Orb viz. 2907192 but if we take the other Accounts 't is vastly bigger As to his Body Ptolomey supposed him 19000 times less than the Earth a prodigious mistake certainly Tycho Brahe who is more herein to be credited only nineteen times less by which he should be above as big again as the Moon and Lansbergius only twice less His apparent Diameter is judged only of two minutes or thereabouts but Martinus Hortensius a Disciple of Lansbergius making use of his Telescope admits Mercury's Body to be only nineteen Seconds which Computation may be amongst others a good reason for his being so seldom seen Venus comes next By the Ptolomaick System distant from the Earth 618 Semidiameters of the Earth By the Tychonick 1150 By Lansbergius's 1500. Now if we will reckon again according to the lowest rate which is that of Ptolomey's Venus will be 2581386 Miles distant from the Earth which number of we double and add thereto the Diameter of the Earth viz. 8354 as above we have the Diameter of her Orb and that number if we treble as before we have nearly the Compass of her Orb viz. 15513378 which yet it is apparent others would make vastly larger As to the bulk of this glorious Star Ptotomey makes it twenty eight times less than the Earth Tycho only six times less and Lansbergius but three and a third part Her apparent Diameter according to the first is of three Minutes according to the second of three and a quarter but Martinus Hortinsius a Disciple and Assistant of Lansbergius observing her by good Telescopes supposes her Diameter only of fifty nine Seconds SECT V. Of the distance of the Sun from the Earth the compass of her Orb and bulk of his Body THe mean distance for of that all along we would be understood to speak of the Sun from the Earth the Ptolomeans reckon to be 1165 Semidiameters of the Earth The Tychonians but 1150 the samne as of Venus and Mercury Lansbergius c. 1500. as he also had judged of these two last Planets Whence if we should compute at our former rate it would follow that the Sun is distant from the Earth about 4866205 Miles which number if as before we double and add thereto the Diameter of the Earth we have for the Diameter of the Solar Orb 9740764 Miles and that if we multiply by the round number of Three to avoid Fractions as before we have for the compass of that Orb 29222292 Miles The Body of the Sun which is the greatest of all the Heavenly Bodies is by the Ptolomeans judged to be 167 times greater than the Globe of the Earth and Sea yet do they reckon his apparent Diameter only thirty one Minutes and one third that is just two Minutes less than the Moon appears to us Copernicus esteemed it only 162 times bigger than the Earth But Lansbergius 434. And Tycho Brahe much less than either only 139 times bigger than the Earth and his apparent Diameter of thirty one Minutes still less than the apparent Diameter of the Moon however his Body in it self be so vastly bigger SECT VI. Of the distances of the other Planets from the Earth th compass of their Orbs and bulks of Body WE will now cease to compute the distance of the Planets by Miles as being too small a measure and running Figures to too great a length The method is open enough and any who have the curiosity to know the distance by Miles may be supposed to have the industry also if they please to calculate it themselves Mars's mean distance from the Earth according to Ptolomey is Four thousand five hundred eighty four half Diameters of the Earth his apparent Diameter of one Minute and an half and his Body once and an half bigger than the Earth According to Tycho he is only One thousand seven hundred and forty five Semidiameters of the Earth distant and his apparent Diameter of one Minute and three quarters and his Body thirteen times less than the Earth Which last point of his Opinion Lansbergius favours so far as to allow him to be eight times less than the Earth but distant from it Two thousand two hundred and seventy five of its Semidiameters Now M. Hortensius runs him so low as to reckon his Body to be One thousand five hundred and thirty four times less than the Earth and his apparent Diameter only of thirty six S. And according to our former rate and method we shall have for the Diameter of his Orb Nine thousand one hundred and seventy Semidiameters of the Earth and for the compass of his Orb 27410 of the Same Jupiter's mean distance is according to Ptolomey Ten thousand four hundred and twenty three Semidiameters of the Earth his apparent Diameter two Minutes and an half and his Body eighty one times bigger than the Earth According to Tycho he is only Three thousand nine hundred and ninety Semidiameters of the Earth distant from it his apparent Diameter much at the same rate as the Ptolomeans judge it but his Body only fourteen times bigger than the Earth Lansbergius makes him Eight thousand and ninety one Semidiameters of the Earth distant from it his Body but twenty five and two fifth parts bigger than the Earth Hortensius but one and one fourth bigger and his apparent Diameter only of fifty Seconds And following still our former Computation upon Ptolemey's Doctrine the proportions of his System being a mean between the vast one which Copernicus and the narrower which Ty. Brahe introduced we shall have for the Diameter of his Orb Twenty thousand eight hundred and forty eight Semidiameters of the Earth and for the Compass or Circumference thereof upwards of Sixty two thousand five hundred and forty four of the same Saturn the highest of the Planets comes last whom Ptolomey placed Fifteen thousand and eight hundred Semidiameters of the Earth distant from it Tycho but Ten thousand five hundred and fifty yet Lansbergius allows the distance to be Fourteen thousand eight hundred and eighty of the Earths Semidiameters His

borrow of the Sun 2. That every one of the Planets except the Sun change their Faces like the Moon so that Venus and Mercury do sometimes appear like a half Moon and sometimes quite round according as these Planets are found more or less opposite unto the Sun That Mars sometimes appears in a Curvy Lin'd Figure That Saturn shews himself as encompassed with a Ring Touching Jupiter it is very marvelous That there are discovered four little Stars that continually move Circularly about his Body and which by that means cast a shade upon his Superficies These things are undeniable Testimonies that all these Planets have no other Light but that which the Sun communicates unto them 3. This Telescope doth also inform us that each of these Planets except the Sun have spots in their Superficies just as the Moon hath and of the same kind of blackness 4. The same Instrument hath also inform'd us that each of these Planets and the Sun also together with the daily and Natural Motions do besides move themselves upon their Centers some by the motion of Revolution and others by that of Libration SECT III. Discoveries in the fixed Stars TOuching the fixed Stars it is marvelous that the same Four things which we have observed to be in the Planets are also found to meet in them Hereupon it is to be observed that from time to time by help of the same Instrument there is discovered new Stars in the Firmament the which having appeared a certain time do so decrease of their bigness that they cannot any longer be discerned and then afterwards after the revolution of Months Years or Ages do appear again as if they were newly come into being This Wonder hath given occasion unto Astronomers and Modern Optists to conclude that it is the same with the Stars as with the Psanets and that at least some of them have Spots and Blemishes and that they also move as those do on their Centers From whence it proceeds that when their Spects are turn'd towards the Earth they do not appear unto us and when the Spots are turn'd t'other way behind then they do appear by means ports an evident decision of the Question unto this day controverted to wit whether these Stars shine of their own proper Light or of the Light borrowed from the Sun-Beams and we must hold it in favour of the Affirmative that they shine by virtue of the Illumination of this great Planet which is the point we have Established in the first part of our Anticopernicus There be a great many observable and curious things to be seen in this first Part. As for the Stars which are permanent or do always shine it may probably be said that they always continue such because that by their moving upon their Center they have little or no Spots Moreover this Prospective discovers unto us in the Heavens a far greater number of Stars than what we can discern with the naked Eye It discovers unto us in the Pleiades in a Circle of one degree of Diameter which encompasseth them the number of 46 Stars whereas we can perceive in that little company but six the seventh having disappeared a long time agone Behold here also another great marvel in the fixed Stars which is that when they are beheld with th Telescope the appeaso prodigiously small that whereas Tycho B. tells us that those of the first Magnitude appear unto the naked sight about two Mients Diameter they appear not unto us according unto Galilco but five Seconds of a Diameter which is twenty four times less And whereas Tycho B. makes these Stars to be 60 or 70 times bigger than the Earth at this time on the contrary they are found to be 200 time less than the Earth Whereupon Kepler warns us that with the Telescope the greatness of any fixed Star cannot be determined because by how much the better the Glass is by so much the lesser the Stars appear It is a matter of surprise to hear that all the Planets do appear greater in the Glass than they are especially the lowest and then again these fixed Stars on the contrary with the same Glass do appear smaller I adhere unto this Opinion of the prodigious smallness of fixed Stars Nevertheless at present I judge that as to this matter there is some kind of fallacy in our sight Hereafter we will make a farther Demonstration Lastly The Telescope has discover'd and decided the Question which hath been so long agitated amongst the ancient Philosophers namely what the is which we call the Milky Way vulgarly in French the Way of St. James for it has given us to understand that 't is nothing but an infinite multitude of small Stars which by their nearness one to another make up all that white Tract which we behold in the Heavens SECT IV. Of what has been Observed in the Sun BY help of the abovesaid Instrument there has been observed upon the Convexity of the Body of the Sun black Spots which are moveable variable and subject to change and which do move regularly towards the West finishing their Revolution in 26 or 27 days Nevertheless Hevelius here traces these ways by bendings sometimes Convex and sometimes Hollow The motions of these Solar Spots testifie unto us that the Body of the Sun truns upon this Center with that motion These Spots are not Celestial Bodies as J. Tarde would make us believe but rather Evaporations which rise from the Body of the Sun after the manner of Vapours arising from the Earth and forming themselves into Clouds which doth appear inasmuch as these Spots are always chageable in their form bulk and configuration Sometimes there appears a great number in the Face of this Star sometimes but a few and sometimes none at all Some of these Spots shine and become lightsom and others that shined become dark To this purpose Malapert at Arras did dayly observe these Spots from the year 1618. unto the year 1627. and never found them return unto the same Configuration they had in all that time Scheiner on the other hand observed them at Rome at the same time and found them no otherwise than the former had done It were to be wished that some of these Solar Spots had remained fixed in the Body of the Sun for that would have decided the great Question to wit if it be the Earth or the Sun which is immovable in the Center of the Universe THE SUN ACCORDING TO EA KIRCHER Also Wherefore at certain times it was that this Star appeared not in his wonted brightness as it happened in the year 1547. from the 24th of August unto the 28th that the Sun appeared reddish and not as bright as the Moon in her total Eclips so that several Stars were visible at Noon-Day It happened to be the same for a whole year together at the time when Caesar was Murdered insomuch that it was so darkned that it could scarce ripen the Fruits of the Earth Virg. Geor.

he of Revolution or Libration SECT X. Of what hath been Observ'd in Mercury TOuching Mercury we have no Observations can say that he hath Spots as the other aforesaid Planets nor can we determine whether he turns or not on his Center or on some Ax Nevertheless it is probable to believe that it hath all things just as the other Heavenly Bodies Moreover hevelius in the year 1644. observed that he changed his Face just as the Moon and Venus and that he appeared sometimes round sometimes half round and sometimes like a Cressent The reason wherefore this Planet is not discerned like the others is because of his smalness and for its being commonly darkned by the Sun Beams The 7th of November 1631. this Mercury was seen in the Disque of the Sun as it were to Eclipse it and there appeared like a Spot of the eightieth or ninetieth part of the Diameter of this great Star It had its Center very black and the Extremities something red Fig 6 1 Face of VENVS according ta Mr. Cassini 2 another Face of VENVS according to Massini 3 another Face of VENVS accoring to Mr. Cassini SECT XI Of new Stars which appear for a time and then idsappear at another time And First Of the first which came to our knowledge and of the Notable One which appeared in the Chair of Cassiopea Anno 1572. THe first new Star come unto our knowledge is that which appeared in the time of Hypparcus about 125 years before the Birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ Since which time some others have also been discovered to wit one in the year 388. whereof Claudian makes mention and one in the fifteenth Degree of Scorpio spoken of by Albumazar Haly the which continued four Months Since which time in the year 1571. the Ninth of November there appeared in the Firmament in the Chair of Cassiopea that notable Star of the first Magnitude which in its Course governed it self like the other Stars as holding place amongst them and had no Paralax The Astronomers of those times well observed it for Instance Tycho B. it continued sixteen Months after which time decreasing very much it grew quite invisible Upon the Consideration of this Star or Comet is remarkable unto our purpose what the Marquess of Villenes hath left in Writing in his Book upon the Centiloqui of Ptolemey to wit that there remained a black Spot in the same place where this Star appeared which if so it would the more confirm what we have said that the Stars have Spots just as the Planets have the which makes them disappear at such times as they turn from wards the Earth Nevertheless seeing the Assertion of this Marquess is not seconded by other Authors we will refer our selves unto farther Experience It is doubtful if this same Star will not come and appear again All we can conclude of this Question is that if it be a real fixed Star it will not fail appearing some other time but if it be only a Cornet or that it is in the Firmament it self or a little below it then it will never appear again Fig. 7. The new STARR or Comet in the Constellation of Cassiopea observed by Tycho Br SECT XII Of the Star in the Swan's Breast NIne and twenty years after the Apparition of the Star in Cassiopea viz. in the year 1601. there appeared in the Heavens a new Star of the third Magnitude in the Swan's Breast which continued visible unto the year 1626. and then totally disappeared Kepler observed it very diligently After it had disappeared and in the space of thirty three years to wit in the year 1659. Mr. Hevelius at Dantzick observed it to appear again in the same place where Kepler first saw it and of the same Magnitude but in the year 1660. it seemed plainly to diminish and quite disappeared soon after Again in the year 1666. Mr. Hevelius saw it re-appear and it continues at present to be seen but so small that it is but of the sixth or seventh Magnitude It is supposed that it is no less than fourteen years in finsh its Revolution We have here represented in in Tab. 8. Of the Star near the Swan's Bill This Star was first discovered by Dom. Adthelm Chartreux of Dijon to wit in the year 1671. it appear'd unto him of the third Magnitude It is not mentioned in any of the Catalogues of Stars although a great many much more inconsiderable ones be therein mentioned The same Father and Mr. Cassiny have observed it as well in its increase as in its decrease It hath twice appeared unto them in its greatest Luster the first time the fourth of April and the second time the first of May it is about a Month in its return to its first state SECT XIII Of the Star in the Whales's Neck THis admirable Star in the Whale's Neck is of this sort also which appear sometimes then hide themselves and then disappear again to appear at another time At first it appears to be but of the sixth Magnitude then it increaseth by little and little for 120 days together after which time it arrives at its full period and greatest brightness and eminency which is to be Fig. 9. The new STARR in the Whales Neck discover'd by Mr. Bouillau and Cassini of the third Magnitude wherein it continues fifteen days together then it decreaseth until it becomes invisible It doth appear every year in this greatest brightness thirty two or thirty three days sooner than the precedent year and compleats its Revolution in about three hundred and thirty three days Mr. Bouilleau Astronomer hath very diligently observ'd it he thinks it moveth upon its own Center and Ax and presupposeth as we do that it is composed of two different parts the greater obscure and the less bright remaining invisible when the obscure part is turned towards us and shewing it self when the bright part is towards us Astronomers have judged that its motion is Irregular and inscrutable nevertheless the said Mr. Bouilleau has invented a very ingenuous Hypothesis whereby he makes its motion to be Regular SECT XIV Of the Cloudy Star of the Girdle of Andromeda FAther Fabry and Mr. Bouilleau abovesaid have taken notice of this Star it appeared in the years 1612 and 1613. and then disappeared until the year 1664. that it appeared again anew SECT XV. Of the Star betwixt Eridanus and those of the Hare MR. Cassiny has discover'd another new Star situate betwixt Eridanus and the Hare the which also shews it self and then withdraws it self as the others above-mentioned and is in the passage whereby the Comet in 1664. went No body has spoken of this Star although it be one of the fourth Magnitude Fig. 10. The Cloudy STARR newly discover'd in the Girdle of Andromeda diserrd by father Fabri and Mr. Bouillau Another new STARR betwixt cridanus and the Hare discover'd by Mr. Cassini SECT XVI Of other Stars of which it is very probable that they are new Stars

to draw the Raies closer by putting a Paper with a Pin-hole in it betwixt our Eye and the Glass and the like with a little use will easily direct and teach us to contrive Then for the Stars the best time to view any of them is in clear Nights when there is little or no Moon A Telescope of six or eight foot will for these and indeed for the Moon or Sun also do in a manner as well as one of twenty four or twenty five The disadvantage of cumbersomness in these large ones is such as scarce countervails the advantages which they have the chiefest of which is that they take in a greater part of the Heaven than our lesser Glasses But all Persons must be advised how they venture to look on the Sun with Telescopes For in due position the whole Instrument is but as one violent Burning-Glass and a Man may easily take such a look in an instant as never to see more with that Eye Therefore some use to smoak their Glass over a Candle but the best way is to have a small piece of red or purple Glass to interpose betwixt your Eye and the Glass of the Telescope and by this means you may view that glorious Body with little or no prejudice But as to these points those who sell these Instruments will certainly if desired shew their Customers the truest and safest way to use them more plainly than I can speak I will only here add that if we design a clear sight of the face or bigness of any of the Heavenly Bodies the worst time to view any of them is when they are not far from the Horizon for then the refraction of the Raies is so great that their Bodies appear much larger proportionably than at other times and in other positions and the sight of them too is much more confused By which one note any Person may be able to direct himself what Stars are in a most convenient condition for him to view at any time when his Curiosity leads him to such Entertainments And truly these are Entertainments so noble and glorious as well as ravishing and transporting that it is to be wondred how Persons whose Parts and Fortunes qualifie them for them are able to temperate themselves from them But perhaps it will be said the uncertainty of the truth of them discourages Of that therefore we will consider in the next place SECT X. What certainty there may be concluded in these Curiosities and Discoveries To come to a perfect and exact knowledge of the distance of the Heavenly Bodies by Miles or such known measures of their bigness substance frame and contexture is not to be expected nor will any except Madmen pretend to have made such Discoveries There are very few things which Wise Men will say they thoroughly understand even amongst these Sublunary Bodies But there is as great a difference betwixt the knowledge which Artists and Speculative Men have of the Heavens Stars and Orbs and that which the Common People have as there is betwixt the Common Peoples and Brutes notices of them To come to particulars The Parallax of the Moon is very sensibly discoverable It s Horizontal Parallax is above a whole Degree Therefore the distance of the Moon may be more certainly concluded upon and more firmly credited In the other Stars I confess the Case is more difficult and the Work finer so that the Result exceeds not probability For in Mercury Venus the Sun and Mars we cannot without great difficulty observe any Parallax and that which we can at length observe is very small In Jupiter and Saturn there is scarce any And as to the fixed Stars they are so vastly above us that we are to expect none in them The reason hereof is that the Semidiameter of the Earth which is taken in these Cases for the common Measure and as the interstice between the two supposed Dimensory Stations bears some sensible proportion to the distance of the Moon but as to the distance of those other Bodies its proportion is so very small as almost to vanish when applied thereto As if the Earth were but in comparison of them as a Point and there were no difference whether we beheld them from the Surface of the Earth or from its Center By which ingenuous dealing the Reader will be able easily to gather what kind of belief he is to give to the foregoing Calculations or Accounts of the distances and Magnitudes of these Bodies They are mostly but the Conjectures of Men very learned knowing and industrious in this kind And as to those Discoveries mentioned in the first part of this Book it may perhaps be suspected they are also as uncertain because of the diversity of Refractions and Mediums the vast distance and other like Points But it is to be said hereto Those Objects which constantly through divers Glasses at divers times and by divers Spectators observed still generally or most commonly appear the same are certainly as they appear Saturn therefore most surely has such Ansulae of Light as he is represented Jupiter has such Obscurer Tracts as those termed his Belts or Girdle Mars such Features as I may call them as above described The Sun and Moon such Spots And Venus her different Phases sometimes as an Half Quarter or Full Moon And there are none of these but are far a more glorious Light than they can be conceived when seen only in such Figures as we have been able to represent them in The seeing them as near as we can by the help of our Glasses in themselves fills the Fancy with delightful news Idea's and the Understanding with new curious Contemplations and prepares and raises the Mind to most Noble Curious and Divine Speculations as well as Wonder and Content Then as to those New Stars as I may call them that is such Stars as we cannot espy with our naked Eye but do plainly see and can count with the help of our Glasses such as are not only very many little ones but one larger of the seven Stars in the Pleiades that infinite multitude in the Gallaxy or Milky Way c. These are most certain things and not meer appearances because if an hundred People look at them and have one hundred Telescopes they shall all see the same Stars and be able to count them and describe their Position or the Figures they make as they stand all along in the Tracts of the Heavens These therefore can be no sparklings of Light or false appearances in the Glasses but must be real and proper Stars some of them certainly very vastly above the others and having different Centers of motion or different Orbs from the others Most of these things therefore cannot be doubted And de facto it is not now doubted I think by any who have used Telescopes in viewing the Heavens that in the Firmament as it is usually called or Sphere of fixed Stars there are several Stars which have a peculiar motion of their own and are as it were Suns too and illuminate others as our Sun does the Moon and other Planets But the Theory of these things would lead us into heights as far beyond our Conception and Comprehension as above our Sight We will therefore here sit down a while and wonder and put a stop to our thoughts of the Stars Soli Deo Gloria