MARS-ASTEROIDS. MARS-ASTEROIDS. BY PROFESSOR WATERMAN. 361 Let us suppose, for the sphere of the fixed stars. HAVING described those parts of the solar system which are within the Earth's orbit, we now come to those that lie beyond. From the fact of their orbits being wholly exterior to the Earth's, these planets have been denominated superior planets, to distinguish them from those which revolve interiorly, and are hence called inferior. The change of relativee""". From this point it will again appear to retroposition in the object observed, from being within the Earth's orbit to beyond it, occasions considerable change in the apparent phenomena. If my fair readers will recollect what was said, in the article on Mercury, in reference to the inferior planets generally, they will find no difficulty in readily appreciating the cause of the apparent differences which will now be stated. sun. grade while the Earth is passing through that portion of its orbit contained between E""" and E'. As, however, this is much less than the remaining portion, M will appear advancing for a longer time than is occupied in retrogression. In this we have supposed M to be stationary, which is not the case. But inasmuch as the superior planets move with less velocity than the Earth, and in the same direction, we may take the difference of their velocities, and attribute that to the Earth. The result will be the same as if the Earth moved with that velocity, and the planet really remained at rest. MARS. The first of the superior planets is Mars. It may The inferior planets never depart far from the The superior ones are found at all distances from him. The inferior planets assume all the phases of the moon. The superior ones never. (A slight variation in the case of Mars will be noticed in its place.) The inferior planets frequently transit the sun's disc. The superior ones cannot. The in-readily be distinguished from others by its ruddy apferior planets appear to oscillate about the sun. The motions of the superior ones, though at times apparently retrogressive, are, upon the whole, progressive; so that, in time, they accomplish the entire circuit of the heavens. These, and other changes which might be mentioned, are all occasioned by the difference of position in the objects observed with reference to the Earth and sun. To illustrate this latter point more fully, let the following diagram representsiderable. And since the illuminated hemisphere is pearance. The probable cause of this appearance will be noticed hereafter. Mars, when viewed through a good telescope, does not always present a round disc like Jupiter; but sometimes resembles the moon a day or two before or after the full. In other words, it is slightly gibbous. The cause of this is found in the fact that the angle formed by joining the Earth, Mars, and the sun, is sometimes quite con always turned toward the sun, we sometimes have something of a side view, or semi profile, of the planet. The dark part not being visible, the outline presented to us is somewhat of an oval form. The invisible part, however, is never very great. More than seven-eighths of the breadth of the planet is always seen. Mars presents very great variation in its apparent size, as seen from the Earth. Being about 145,000,000 of miles distant from the sun, he is at times only 50,000,000 from us. At other times he is no less than 240,000,000. The consequence is, that at one time he appears twenty-five times larger than at the other! When nearest us his brilliancy is about equal to that of Jupiter. When most distant he is scarcely perceptible. These successive changes are periodical. The time occupied in passing from one to the other is about a year; so that, in the space of two years, he passes from brilliancy to indistinctness, and back through all the gradations of increasing splendor till he outshines the most brilliant of the fixed stars! The orbit of Mars is 901,064,000 miles in extent; time of a revolution, one year three hundred and twenty-two days; mean rate in its orbit, 54,649 miles per hour; rotation on its axis, twenty-four hours, thirty-nine minutes, twenty-one seconds; inclination to the ecliptic, 1° 51' 6"; eccentricity, about 1-21 of the transverse axis; or, Mars is 26,926,000 miles nearer the sun at one time than at another. In reference to the physical constitution of Mars, but little is known with any thing like certainty. When viewed through the telescope, he presents the appearance of large spots on his surface. These vary in their color. Those near the poles are very much brighter than the other parts. Its axis being much more inclined than that of the Earth, its seasons must be much more marked than ours. And the fact, that in the polar regions there are but two seasons in its year, each of nearly twelve months' duration, led Herschell to a somewhat singular conjecture in regard to the polar spots just mentioned, and which he supposes to arise from snow. Says this distinguished observer, "In the year 1781 the south polar spot was extremely large, which we might well expect, as that pole had but lately been involved in a whole twelve months' darkness and absence from the sun; but in 1783 I found it considerably smaller than before, and it decreased continually from the 20th of May till about the middle of September, when it seemed at a stand. During this last period, the south pole had already been about eight months enjoying the benefit of summer, and still continued to receive the sunbeams, though, toward the latter end, in such an oblique direction as to be but little benefited by them. On the other hand, in the year 1781, the north polar spot, which had then been its twelve months in the sunshine, and was but lately returning into darkness, appeared small, though increasing in size." From these observations he concludes, "that the bright polar spots are owing to the vivid reflection of light from frozen regions; and the reduction of those spots is to be ascribed to their being exposed to the sun." Has Mars an atmosphere? This is a question which has been warmly discussed on both sides. Herschell has given his opinion quite summarily. Says he, "It has been surmised to have a very extensive atmosphere; but on no sufficient or plausible ground." Dick, on the other hand, and many with him, have urged very strong reasons in favor of a very extensive and very dense atmosphere surrounding this planet. The latter is most probably the correct theory. And to this fact, perhaps, is owing the ruddy appearance of Mars' light. All have observed that our heavens, near the horizon, especially during the twilight, frequently exhibit a dead, reddish appearance. This is caused by the refracting influence of the Earth's atmosphere. A pencil of light entering the Earth's atmosphere horizontally with reference to the position of the observer, will be separated into its primary rays. As the direction of the pencil is in a line tangent to the Earth's surface at the point of observation, or nearly so, if a part of the rays composing the pencil be much deflected, they will strike the Earth, and a portion of them be absorbed by it. The consequence is, that those rays only which are least deflected will reach the eye of the observer. The violet ray being the most refrangible, and the red the least, it follows that more of the violet rays will be absorbed and reflected than of the red; or, in other words, that the red tinge will predominate. This coincides exactly with observation. Let us apply this to the subject before us. A pencil of light from the sun falls upon Mars obliquely. On entering his very dense atmosphere it becomes separated into the primary rays. A portion of these is absorbed, and the remainder reflected. But from a known principle in optics, that the angles of incidence and reflection are equal, it would follow that, in a given pencil of light, the reflection of the different rays composing it would take place at very different angles. Moreover, after the separation, some of the most refrangible rays would strike the body and be reflected by it in another direction, while the least refrangible might not touch the body at all, and only have their direction changed by passing from a rarer to a denser medium. Should these latter, which are the red rays, reach the eye of a terrestrial observer, having been separated from their violet companions, they would cause every thing to appear of a ruddy hue, or, more correctly speaking, their light would be of that tinge. Supposing both of these circumstances combined, and we have no difficulty in accounting for the "ruby light" of this celestial companion of the Earth. The conjecture of Herschell, endorsed though it be by Nichol, that the body of Mars is composed of some substance similar to red sandstone, which gives it the fiery appearance observed, appears so unphilosophical, when in contrast with the theory of refracted light, that we feel disposed to dismiss it without further notice. In reference to Mars, I need only state further, that diligent investigation has been made to discover whether he is attended by a secondary body like our moon. No such body has as yet been discovered. The body of the planet, like that of the Earth, is an oblate spheroid, whose equatorial and polar diameters are to each other as 16 to 15, the equatorial being about 4,200 miles in length, and the polar 263 miles shorter. The density of Mars is about 3 2-7 times greater than water. One pound of matter at the Earth's surface, if transported to Mars, would weigh only five ounces six drams. About one-third or one-fourth of its surface is probably covered with water, the relative quantities of land and water there being the reverse of what we find on the Earth. Some have endeavored to explain Mars' ruddy appearance from this circumstance. As the sea appears green, the land would take the complimentary colors of the spectrum; and being greater in extent, the reddish hue would be the dominant one. This, however, is by ་ MARS-ASTEROIDS. no means a satisfactory explanation of the phenom enon. ASTEROIDS. No one who has ever made the divine works a subject of study, can avoid the conclusion that order everywhere rules. This instructive lesson has been so deeply impressed upon the minds of some, as to lead, in cases where an apparent want of order to any extent was visible, to investigations in relation to the cause. And in more instances than one, have such investigations been rewarded with the richest discoveries. One of the most striking illustrations of this we find in the case of the celebrated German astronomer, BODE. The distance between the orbits of Venus and the Earth is about 27,000,000 miles; between that of the Earth and Mars about 50,000,000, or nearly double the preceding; between Mars and Jupiter 350,000,000; between Jupiter and Saturn 411,000,000; and between Saturn and Uranus 894,000,000. This illustrious astronomer was struck with the fact, that, with the exception of the interval between Mars and Jupiter, the interval between the orbits of any two planets is about twice as great as the inferior interval, and only half the superior one. This regularity led to the supposition that the order was not really broken; but that between Mars and Jupiter an undiscovered planet was circulating. This suggestion set the astronomical world to observing, when, lo! instead of one, four new planets were found revolving within this space, and all very contiguous to each other. The mean distance of the four from the sun being about 250,000,000 of miles, the law of planetary distances, as just announced, became verified. Here we have a stupendous result following the close observations of a discriminating mind. But for some such a one, these four diminutive sisters might now be wandering unheeded through their untracked course in space! The discovery of these four planets, to which the name of asteroids has been applied, belongs to the present century. Ceres, the first of the four, was discovered by Piazzi, at Palermo, on the first day of January, 1801; Pallas, the second, by Dr. Olbers, of Bremen, 28th of March, 1802; Juno, the third, by Harding, near Bremen, September 1, 1804; and Vesta, the last, by Dr. Olbers, 29th March, 1807. No others have since been observed, although it is very probable that others exist. Those discovered are all very small, the diameter of the largest being only about 1,600 miles, while that of the smallest, if we may trust some eminent observers, is only about 270. Mercury, the smallest of the old planets, contains about 17,000,000,000 cubic miles, while the sum of the asteroids amounts only to about 5,000,000,900. From the diminutive size of these little sisters, and their great distance from us, but little is known, with certainty, of their physical constitution. They 363 present, however, some remarkable peculiarities, which we shall notice. 1. Their orbits are more inclined to the ecliptic than any of the other planets. The inclination of Mercury's orbit is little more than seven degrees (70 0' 9".) The next in point of magnitude is Venus, which amounts to three degrees and twenty minutes, while that of Uranus is only forty-six minutes. But in the asteroids the angle of inclination, in some cases, is as great as thirty-four degrees. 2. Their orbits are much more eccentric. While the orbits of the older planets differ but little from circles, these present the phenomena of elongated ellipses. In one instance, that of Pallas, the eccentricity amounts to no less than 64,516,000 miles, or about one-eighth of the whole transverse axis! 3. Two of these exhibit the singular phenomenon of intersecting orbits. The mean distance of each from the sun is the same, being about 263,000,000 of miles. But as the eccentricity of one is very much greater than the other, the lesser axis of the latter is consequently greater than that of the forThis causes the two orbits mutually to intersect each other. mer. 4. All the asteroids revolve at nearly the same mean distance from the sun. Vesta's mean distance is about 225,000,000 of miles, Juno's 254,000,000, Ceres' 263,000,000, and Pallas' also 263,000,000. 5. The periodic time of their revolutions around the sun is nearly the same. The difference of times between Ceres and Pallas is but a single day; that of the former being four years, seven months, and ten days, and the latter four years, seven months, and eleven days. 6. They are all very much smaller than the old planets. As stated before, the smallest of the old planets contains more than three times the mass of all the asteroids put together. In fact, the largest of the four is not quite as large as our own moon. 7. They differ from all the older members of the planetary system, in the extent of their atmospheres. Ceres is surrounded by an exceedingly dense atmosphere, which extends to the distance of 675 miles from its surface. So dense is it that many eminent observers have thought it consisted of the same material as the body of the planet itself, only more diffusive, and that they had here detected nature in the very act of forming worlds. We shall have occasion to speak of this more at large in a subsequent number, when we come to review the theory of La Place respecting the formation of the universe. From the various peculiarities above noticed, many eminent astronomers have supposed that these refractory sisters were the fragments of an older and larger planet which revolved in their immediate vicinity. Of the plausibility of this theory we shall take occasion to speak more at large on another occasion. Man may observe facts. He may, from those facts, deduce certain conclusions as probable truth. 364 PIETY WITH CHEERFULNESS. But for complete assurance we must wait for the investigations of the spirit world. We cannot believe that any thing which bears the impress of infinite Wisdom will escape ultimate observation and correct understanding. Amid the infinite variety of God's works, the intellectual part of man's nature may find an eternal feast, while the emotions rising into rapturous adoration at each advance in true knowledge, will cause the tongue to break out in new strains of praise and glory throughout the ceaseless ages of a blissful eternity. Who would not be a child of God, and an heir of such an immortality? "The hand of God Has written legibly what man may know, THE GLORY OF THE MAKER. There it shines, Bound to the surface of this pigmy globe, And beauty, by the hand of Power divine PIETY WITH CHEERFULNESS. BY REV. M. SMITH. WHILE our thoughts are gently passing over the world, variegated scenes appear before the mind. There is contained, in the material universe, much that is lovely and interesting. But in the most distant islands of the sea, together with the greater lands, evidences of inconstancy and change are everywhere presented to view. All these give support to the truth of revelation, that sin has entered into the world. Hand in hand they stood rejoicing in the beneficence, wisdom, and infinite love of that Being, who had, from utter nothingness, spoken all things into existence. Soon all is changed. Sin entered, and, in transgression, struggled to silence the still voice of Heaven's mercy. Hope, restless, plumed its flight, and bade the world farewell. Despair spread its dark wing of death over their moral sky. Gloom, now augmenting, rolled its rayless cloud of night upon a thousand distant mountains. Doubtless, angels were there, surveying with deep regret the ruins of a fallen world. But happy deliverance came. And, after all, how humble and how thankful should we be at the remembrance that there is a door for our escape, which has opened up a living way to life without death, day without night, and joys fadeless and unending! The moral unadaptation of the soul for this heavenly life can now be changed through the merit of the Savior. Piety, true, living, and faithful, will soon bring its possessor to God and the pleasures of heaven. The importance of a right state of heart, in order to secure moral impressions and religious truths, is clear and conclusive. True piety, in firm belief, comprehends just conceptions of the being, attributes, and providence of God, with suitable aspirations of mind to him, and, as far as possible, striving for assimilation to his moral perfections, with humble and continued obedience to his will. No one can, for a moment, doubt but that knowledge, veneration, love, and resignation are all essential to the character as a true Christian. And surely no effort should be abandoned which is calculated, under grace, to peacefully adorn the undying spirit with all those Christian attainments so requisite to its true happiness and dignity here, and the fadeless joys of a peaceful immortality. It is true religion that gently binds the heart and mind to the happy relationship which we sustain to God and future bliss. To approach the burning plain of Deserta Libya interioris, could not be more horrifying to the startled eye of the lone traveler, than the presence of religious associations and enjoyments to that soul destitute of a knowledge of the Savior. True piety is so far removed from marring the enjoyments of private and socal life, that it sweetly blends the milder traits of courtesy, affability, and the like duties, elevating the harmony of mutual dependence and unity of sentiment. Charity and forgiveness are truly amiable and useful duties of social beings. This heavenly principle teaches hu Primeval life and glory commenced in Eden's lovely bower. Life's morning dawned. The rising king of day had kissed the tree of life, and bathed in golden glow the sweet groves of bliss. The innumerable songsters of heaven mingled in soft harmony; strange music stirred with life the air of Par-mility of feeling in the smaller circles, and in the adise, while they spread their wing to the breeze, lingering in ecstasy around the beautiful beings for whom was reserved the image of God-beings, of whom the poet has said, "Of noble shape they were-erect and tall- more extended range-in humble associations, as well as the more hospitable alliance-the care of a friend and the amiable, disinterested duties we owe to the stranger and to our enemy. If the exercise of these harmonized principles, when moved with compassion, are beheld with approbation and delight, how lovely and transcendently glorious must those appear, which result from true philanthropy, when THE CITY COQUET AND THE COUNTRY PASTOR. calm and dispassionate! Truly this principle was True knowledge and desire are always advancing 365 variable spirit. O, happy privilege! who will not THE CITY COQUET AND THE COUNTRY BY MISS M. E. WENTWORTH. FULL fifteen minutes the bell of the little church in Peacedale had announced its sweet invitation to the worshipers of God, and still the family of Mr. Harris were detained. What could it mean? Himself and family the most punctual attendants upon divine ordinances, Mr. Harris deemed tardiness at church one of the most heinous of little sins. He stood impatiently with his hand upon the door, and Mrs. Harris wondered what Ellen could be doing, and Mary Harris, whose simple but really elegant toilet had been long completed, hastened to the dressing-room of her friend to assist, if necessary, her preparations. Hair oil, cologne, tooth powders, and combs were scattered carelessly over the toilet, while a beautiful brush was lying on the floor with the wardrobe that had escaped in the greatest confusion from her traveling trunk. "Ellen, dear, papa is waiting and is very impatient. He does so dislike being late at church." "Well, Mary, I am almost ready, and, dear me! It is so unpleasant I am quite out of breath now. to get ready for church. I dread it. I have nothing in the world that looks fit to wear." Mary cast her eyes over the profusion of dresses of various kinds that strewed the chairs, and were She said nothing; hung about the disordered room. but her quick eye detected that her friend was described in the few words, "The more she has, the more she is dissatisfied with her possessions." Another duty identified with piety is that of always possessing a cheerful spirit. Gloomy feelings, when oft indulged, end in indifference and ingratitude to God. Care upon this subject seems to be more lightly esteemed than upon almost any other Christian duty. Every exertion should be used to keep the mind cheerful and happy. When prayer is offered up to a throne of grace, it should be with sprightliness of feelings, but with solemu and humble gratitude to God. A gloomy and distrustinged to the parlor. There was the greatest possible prayer does not seem to be either acceptable to the Lord or profitable to the soul. We should weep and mourn over our imperfections and crimes, but never indulge one impatient or unkind feeling toward our heavenly Father. We can always possess this kind of spirit, by constantly bearing in mind that our present condition might be far worse. Contemplate spirits lost in their gloomy, dark abodes in the eternal world, where justice long since would have fixed our suffering homes. Then turn with tearful eye to the cross: behold the sufferer there: hear the tones of mercy sweetly fall, with heavenly influence, on the soul; and let the heart melt with humble gratitude and love, while Jesus spreads light over the Ellen Dale was soon ready, and the girls descend contrast in the appearance of the two. Mary Harris, with her book muslin, made in the most faultless fashion, but without ornament of bow or ribbon, and her happy face looking out from that most becoming of all female hats, a cottage gipsy, and Ellen Dale with a tournure of remarkable size, and a gaudy silk, and a flaunting hat, decorated, as one might say, to death, with laces, and bows, and flowers. She was just such a one as would attract attention in a country church; and her toilet had been made in especial reference to this purpose. Mortified at the lateness of the hour, Mr. Harris proceeded silently to church, and with the most noiseless manner escorted his ladies to the upper part of the house |