13 9 Cygnus 35 10 Cassiopea 25 11 Perseus 38 12 Auriga 32 13 Ophuchus 30 14 Serpens 37 15 Sagitta 8 16 Aquila 32 17 Antinous 7 18 Delphinus 10 19 Equiculus 4 20 Pegasus 20 21 Andromeda 26 22 Triangulum 5 23 Coma Berenic 14 The Southern Constellations 1 Cetus 27 2 Orion 49 3 Eridanus 42 4 Lepus 13 5 Canis major 19 6 Canis minor 8 7 Argo Navis 63 8 Centaurus 40 9 Lupus 20 10 Hydra 29 11 Crater 11 12 Corvus 7 13 Ara 8 14 Corona Austr 13 15 Pisces Notius 12 16 Grus 13 17 Phenix 14 18 Indus 12 19 Pavo 16 20 Apus 12 21 Apis 4 22 Cameleon 8 23 Triangul Aust 5 24 Piscis volans 7 25 Dorado 7 26 Toucan 8 27 Hydrus 15 28 Robur Carol. 12 The Total of the number of the fixed Stars of the several Magnitudes 1 17 2 63 3 196 4 415 5 348 6 341 Obscure and Nebulous 3 Informe or Sporades in the Zodiack 45 Northern 200 Southern 93  1802 Of the System of the Ancients THe Ancient Philosophers especially these of Democritus School and most of the Mathematicians of those times asserted the Universe to be Infinite and to be divided into two chief Portions whereof they held one to be the World or Worlds finite as to bulk and dimensions but infinite as to number The other part or portion they extended beyond the Worlds which they fancied to be a Congeries of Infinite Aâ—oms out of which not only the Worlds already made received their sustenance but Systema AntiQvorvm CHAOS INFINITVM EX ATOMIS Coelum Stellatum Planetarum â—errae … e â—ocus new ones were produced Which Cosmical System imagined by the Ancients is thus described as may be seen in the said System First The place of the Planets and the Earth Then the Starry Firmament marked A B C D imbracing within its Circumserence the Planetary and Elementary System beyond which a certain infinite Chaos of Atoms in which this World of ours is supposed to float which Scheme is taken from Scheinerus A Description of the Material Sphere The Poles of the World are two fixed Points in the Heavens Diametrically opposite to one another the one visible in our Hemifphere called the Artick Pole the other not seen of us being in the lower Hemiiphere called the South or Antartick Pole The Axis of the World is an imaginary Line drawn from Pole to Pole about which the Diurnal motion is performed from East to West The Meridians are great Circles concurring and intersecting one another in the Poles of the World The Equinoctial is a great Circle 90 Degrees distant from the Poles of the World cutting the Meridians at right Angles and dividing the World into two equal parts called the North and South Hemisphere The Zodiack is a Zone having eight Degrees on either side of the Ecliptick in which space the Planets make their Revolutions divided and distinguished into 12 Signs 30 Degrees to each Sign as Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Lee Virgo which are called the Northern Signs Libra Scorpio Sagittatius Aquarius Pisces called the Southern Signs The Ecliptick is a Circle in the midst of the Zodiack touching the Equinoctial in two opposite points of Aries and Libra The Colures are two Meridians dividing the Equinoctial and Ecliptick into two equal parts one of these passes the Equinoctial points of Aries and Libra and is called the Equinoctial Colure the other by Cancer and Capricorn called the Solstitial Colure The Poles of the Ecliptick are two points 23 Deg. 30 Min. distant from the Poles of the World The Tropicks are two small Circles parallel to the Equinoctial and distant therefrom 23 Deg. 30 Min. limiting the Suns greatest Declination The Northern Tropick is call'd the Tropick of Cancer the Southern the Tropick of Capricorn The Polar Circles are two small Circles parallel to the Equinoctial and are distant from the Pole of the World 23 Deg. 30 Min. That which is adjacent is called the Artick Circle and the other the Antartick Circle The Zenith and Nadir are two Points Diametrically opposite The Zenith is the vertical Point or the Point right over our heads The Nadir is directly opposite thereto The Horizon is a great Circle 90 Deg. distant from the Zenith and Nadir dividing the World into two equal parts the upper and visible Hemisphere and the lower and invisible Astronomical Definitions The Meridian of a place is that which passeth by the Zenith and Nadir of the place Spherae Materialis Azimuths or Vertical Circles are great Circles of the Sphere concurring and intersecting each other in the Zenith and Nadir Almicanters or Parallels of Latitude are small Circles parallel to the Horizon imagined to pass through every Degree and Minute of the Meridian between the Zenith and Horizon Parallels of Latitude or Declination are small Circles parallels to the Equinoctial they are called Parallels of Declination in respect of the Sun or Stars in the Heavens and Parallels of Latitude in respect of any place upon the Earth The Latitude of a place is the height of the Pole above the Horizon or the distance between the Zenith and Equinoctial The Latitude of a Star is the Arch of a Circle contained between the Center of a Star and the Ecliptick Line making right Angles with the Ecliptick and is counted either Northward or Southward according to the scituation of the Star Longitude on the Earth is measured by an Arch of the Equinoctial contained between the Primary Meridian or Meridian of that place where the Longitude is assigned to begin and the Meridian of any other place counted always Easterly The Longitude of a Star is that part of the Ecliptick which is contained between the Stars place in the Ecliptick and the beginning of Aries counting them according to the succession of the Signs Altitude of the Sun or Stars is the Arch of an Azimuth contained betwixt the Horizon and Center of the Sun or Star Ascension is the rising of any Star or any part of the Equinoctial above the Horizon Descension is the setting thereof Right Ascension is the number of Degrees and Minutes of the Equinoctial counted from the beginning of Aries which cometh to the Meridian with the Sun or Stars or with any portion of the Ecliptick Oblique Ascension is an Arch of the Equinoctial between the beginning of Aries and that part of the Equinoctial that riseth with the Center of a Star or with any portion of the Ecliptick in an Oblique Sphere Oblique Descension is that part of the Equinoctial which setteth therewith Ascensional Difference is an Arch of the Equinoctial being the difference between the right and oblique Ascension The Amplitude of the Sun or Star is an Arch of the Horizon intercepted between the rising or setting of the Sun or Star and the East or West point of the Hozizon The Parallax is the difference between the true and apparent place of the Sun or Star Refraction is caused by the
ATLAS CAELESTIS Containing the Systems and Theoryes of the Planets the Constellations of the starrs and other Phenomina's of the Heavens with Necessary tables relating thereto Collected By John Seller A brief Description of the several Systems Theories Schemes and Tables contained in this Book Also a Discourse of the Celestial Bodies the Sun and Moon and the rest of the Planets Fiery-Meteors Blazing-Stars and other Phenomena's in the Heavens CHAP. I. A Description of the System of Ptolomy THis Systeme of the Heavens and the Motions of the Planets is of greater antiquity than the other Palanetary Systems either by Copernicus or Tycho and is supposed by some to be more consentaneous to the Letter of the Scripture then the rest It was first invented by one Clandius Ptolomeus a Native of Pelusium in his time the Prince of Astronomers Astrologers and Geographers who lived Anno Christi 135 and wrote several Books on these Subjects This Systeme supposeth the Earth to be fixed as the Center of the World and that all the Celestial-Bodies move round the same both in their Diurnal and Annual Revolutions The World is supposed to be divided principally in two parts Elemental and Celestial The Elemental admits of four divisions The first is the Earth The second is the Water both which makes one intire Body or Globe whereon we dwell The third is the Air encompassing the Earth And the fourth is the Fire which according to the opinion of ancient Philosophers is contained in that space between the Air and the Sphere of the Moon These four Elements are subject to a continual change and alteration of one into another according to the Proverb Omnia sublunaria mutabilia The Celestial part is that which is without these elementary parts void of all changes and is by the ancient Astronomers divided into ten Parts or Heavens The first of which next to the Region of Fire is the Heaven or Orb of the Moon The second of Mercury The third of Venus The fourth of the Sun The fifth of Mars The sixth of Jupiter The seventh of Saturn The eighth of the Fixed-Stars The ninth is called the Cristalline-Heaven The tenth the Primum Mobile Hypothesis Ptolomaica The magnitude of these Heavens is known by their Courses which those great Bodies within them makes round the Poles of the Zodiack The Moon runneth through the Heavens by her natural course from West to East in 27 Days and 8 Hours Mercury in 88 Days Venus in 225 Days And the Sun in a Year or 365 Days and 6 Hours Mars in two Years Jupiter in 12 Years Saturn in 30 Years The eighth Heaven perfects its course according to the affirmation of Tycho Brahe in 25400 Years These Heavens are turned round about upon the Axis of the World by the tenth Heaven which is the Primum Mobile or first Mover by which motion is caused Day and Night and the dayly rising and setting of the Heavenly Lights Of the Copernican System THis System was contrived by one Nicholas Copernicus a Native of Thorne in Prussia a Cannon of the Church of Frawenburgh the Cathedral of Wamerlandt Scholar to Dominicus Maria of Ferrara to whom he was Assistant in making his Astronomical Observations at Bologna and Professor of the Mathematicks at Rome and had the happiness to frame this Hypothesis which hath the general approbation of the most Learned Astronomers and Mathematicians in Christendom He lived about the Year Anno Christi 1536 whose System and Hypothesis is thus framed 1. That the Sun is placed in the midst of the World in or about the Center of the Sphere of the fixed Stars and hath no Circular motion but Central only 2. The Primary Planets are each of them in their proper Systems moved about the Sun and do accomplish their Periodical Revolutions most exactly in their determinate and appointed times 3. That the Earth is one of the Planets and with her Annual motion about the Sun describeth her Orb in the middle between the Orbs of Mars and Venus 4. That the secundary Planets are ordinarily moed about the primary Planets respecting their Bodies for their common Nodes or Centers 5. That the secundary Planet the Moon is moved about the Earth as her Center where by reason of the Annual motion of the Earth she hath not only relation to the Earth but by consequence to the Sun as the other Planets have 6. That as the primary Planet the Earth is invironed with the Sphere of the Moon so are some if not all the other primary Planets who have in like manner their Moons or Concomitants encompassing them As Jupiter his Satellities or Circum-Jovials and Saturn his Ring With some other Stars lately observed by some of our vigilant and accurate Astronomers both in England and elsewhere Hypothesis Copernic … Schema corporis SOLARIS prâ—uta PP Kircherâ— et Sch … … o Roma Anno 1635 observatum Polus Borea … SPATIUM ETHEREUM Solaris Aequator SPATIUM ETHEREUM Polus Aus … s 〈…〉 Glob◠〈◊〉 Aequator Solaris B. â— C. Spâ—tâ—…m Solis boreale H.G.I. Spacâ—…m 〈…〉 Spacium Solis torridum A Pute◠〈◊〉 L.M.N.O. etc. Evaporationes una et macularum Or … The order and motion of the Planets in the Copernican System wherein is shewed the proportion of the Planetary Orbs according to the latest and most approved Experiments of Learned Astronomers with some remarkable Observations of the most eminent Phenomena's in the Planetary motions happening therein Of the Sun THe Sun who is Fons lucis oculus anima Mundi the Fountain of pure Light the Eye and Soul of the World is placed in the middle and center of the Planetary Systems and is far greater than any of the Planets that move about him He performs a revolution upon his proper Axis in 26 Days or thereabouts as Telescope-Observations testify by several remarkable spots that appear in his Body by virtue whereof saith the Learned Kepler all the Planets are carried about the Sun in their several Orbs and seems to be forced about by the Central motions of that great Body in the middle of their Vortex And hence it is that according to the diversity and appearance of his rising and setting and obliquation he divideth the Seasons of the Year and causeth an interchangeable course and vicissitude of Day and Night Of Mercury The first primary Planet above the Sun is Mercury who performs his course in his Elipsis in 88 Days His proper Diurnal motion is 4 Deg. 5 Min. 12 Seconds the Circuit of his Sphere is 12059773 Miles so that he wheels in a Day 137040 Miles and in an Hour 5710 Miles and in a Min. 91 Miles The Body of Mercury is less than the Earth 3000 times his greatest elongation from the Sun in respect of the Earths position is sometimes but 17 Deg. and never fully 19 Deg. so that he is seldom seen of us Of Venus Next above Mercury is the Orb and glittering Star of Venus who maketh her Periodical Revolution
Aquila 11″ 00‴ 11.0 1120 5.7 25 137 3 Algol 7″ 3‴ 7.3 260 3.2 ◠34 4 Propus 6″ 10‴ 6.10 216 2 9 10 26 5 Pleias 4″ ⅘‴ 4. ⅘ 92 2 7 10 18 6 Alcor 4″ 0‴ 4.0 64 2.25 100 9 But seeing the Astronomers of the Copernican opinion maintain the Magnitudes of the fixed Stars to be far greater than the former Table shews them to be it will not be amiss to annex this following Table 5. Table shewing the true magnitude of the fixed Stars that is one of the greatest and one of the least viz. Sirias and Alcor supposing the apparent Diameter of Sirius to be 18″ of Alcor 4″ according to the distance in the Copernican Hypothesis maintaining the Paraliax made by the Earths motion not to exceed 10″ and imagining the Diameter of the Annual Orb to be such as upon these Principles it is stated to be according to Kepler The distances to be asserted in Semidiameters of the Earth The true Magnitude of Sirius The true Diameter of Alcor The Diam of Sirius contains Diam of the Earth The Body of Sirius contains the Earths Body The Diam of Alcor contains Diam of the Earth It s Body contains the Earths Body 142.746.428 12550 1967656731000 6000 216000000000 These Magnitudes may seem by some to be exorbitant but in the opinion of the Judicious do appear to be rational Of the place and distance of the Stars from the Earth or rather the Sun seems to be a question of that difficulty that Pliny pronounced the investigation thereof to be no less than a piece of madness Therefore Riccolus treating upon this subject thought fit in the Front of his Discourse to prefix this Theorem as a most certain truth Parallaxis distantia fixarum non potest certa evidenta observatione humanitus comprehends For it is not known whether the Stars are all in the same Spherical Superficies equally distant from the Center of the World or whether they are placed at unequal distances some higher and some lower This latter was the sentiment of the Ancient Stoical Philosophers who conceived the difference of their lustre and apparent Magnitudes to proceed from their diversity of scituation as more or less removed from our sight Of this opinion was Manilius long since declated speaking of some Stars in Orion appearing more obscure than the rest He gives the reason of that Phenomenon to be Non quod clara minus sed quod magis alta recedunt This Hypothesis so seemingly rational that the famous Tycho Gallileo and Kepler have readily imbraced the same and therefore it may reasonably be supposed that their distances are as divers as those of the Planets Ricciolus reckons up five manner of ways of attaining in some probability the knowledge of their immense distances according to his computation the least distance that may be assigned is found to amount to 210000 Semidiameters of the Earth the greatest being altogether uncertain by reason the crassitude or profundity of their Heaven is not to be determined The Horizontal Parallax of the fixed Stars according to their least distances is but 1″ The distance of the fixed Stars asserted by the Copernicans Authors Semidiameters of the Earth The greatest Parallax of the fixed Stars made from the Annual motion of the Earth The half from the Semidiameter The whole from the Diameter of the Annual Orb Copernicus Indefinite ** ** Gallileus 13.046.400 0′ 20″ 0′ 40″ The distance of the fixed Stars supposing the Earths Annual motion and Copernicans distance of the Earth from the Sun according to the calculations of Tycho and Maginus 7850,000 Semidiamiters of the Earth and the total Parallax of the fixed Stars 1′ 00″ The distance of the fixed Stars from the Earth supposing the Earths motion and the greatest Parallax of the fixed Stars to be 10″ The distance of the Stars from the Earth in Semidiameters of the Earth according to Copernicus is 47.439.800 and the distance of the Sun from the Earth is 1150 Semidiameters of the Earth Of the proper motion of the fixed Stars THe motion of the fixed Stars is twofold First Their Circumrotation about their own Centers termed Motus Vertigenis in which they are carried about with extraordinary celerity whence the reason in part is the cause of their Scintillation The second is Their motion of Revolution from West to East in which they are observed to move but very slowly Touching this it will not be amiss to insert the three following Conclusions of Ricciolus in his Astronom Reformat pag. 259 quoted by Esquire Sherborn in the Sphere of Manilius 1. That the motion of the fixed Stars is equal and uniform 2. That their Annual motion is not less than 49″ not greater than 51″ 3. That it seems most probable that their Annual motion is 50′ 40″ From the supposition of their Annual motion of 50′ 40″ it follows that they compleat not one Degree in the Ecliptick sooner than in 71 Years and 16 104 or 19 Days and 12 Hours in a manner but the whole Circle of 360 Degrees they run not through in less than 25579 Sidereal Years which is the Annus Magnus Platonicus though by the Ancients computed to extend to no less than 36000 Years But this will be clearly manifested by this following Table A Table of the motion of the fixed Stars in Longitude Years ′ ″ ‴ 1 0 50 40 10 8 26 40 20 16 53 20 30 25 20 00 40 33 46 40 50 42 13 20 60 50 40 00  Gr. ′ ″ ‴ 70 0 59 06 40 80 1 07 33 20 90 1 16 00 00 100 1 24 26 40 1000 14 04 26 40 10000 140 44 26 40 25000 360 00 00 00 Of the two Hemispheres of the Heavens THe one shews the Constellations of the Northern and the other of the Southern Hemispheres of the Heavens Wherein may be seen the right Ascension and Declination of any of the Stars in either Hemisphere by which any Star may be easily found and the way or course of a new Star or Comet may be traced in its way or Orbit with several other uses c. The names of each Constellation and the number of the Stars in each of them that are observed by the bare Eye without the help of a Telescope according to Bayerus and others The Northern Signs of the Zodiack 1 Aries 29 2 Taurus 48 3 Gemini 31 4 Cancer 35 5 Leo 43 6 Virgo 42 The Southern Signs of the Zodiack 7 Libra 15 8 Scorpio 29 9 Sagittarius 31 10 Capricornus 29 11 Aquarius 41 12 Pisces 37 A Mapp of the two HEMISPHERES of the Heavens ARIES TAURUS GEMINI CANCER LEO. VIRGO Pisces Cancer Leo Virgo Bootes Androm Aquarius Libra Corvuis Crater Hydra Cetus Phaenix LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTAR CAPRICO AQUARI PISCES ♂ ♀ ☿ ♃ ♄ ♄ ♃ ♀ ♂ ♀ The Northern Constellations 1 Ursa minor 8 2 Ursa major 32 3 Draco 33 4 Cepheus 17 5 Bootes 34 6 Corona 20 7 Hercules 48 8 Lyra