The Description and Use of the Globes and the Orrery

By Joseph Harris

In 'The Description and Use of the Globes and the Orrery,' Joseph Harris intricately explores the fundamentals of astronomical instruments through a meticulous blend of scientific exposition and practical guidance. Written in a didactic style, the book serves as a comprehensive resource for understanding the construction and application of globes and orreries, key tools in the study of celestial bodies. Harris's work situates itself within the context of the Enlightenment, a period characterized by a fervent quest for knowledge and scientific advancement, thus reflecting the era's ideals of rationality and education. His clear prose and logical organization demystify complex concepts, making them accessible to the educated reader of his time and beyond. Joseph Harris, a prominent figure in the field of mathematics and astronomy during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, was influenced by the burgeoning scientific landscape and the works of contemporaneous scholars. His academic background and personal dedication to the promotion of scientific knowledge compelled him to address the educational gap regarding astronomical instruments. Harris's own enthusiasm for celestial navigation and the mechanical arts culminated in this insightful text, aiming to enrich the understanding of both scholars and amateur astronomers alike. This book is highly recommended for readers interested in the intersection of science and education, as it provides not only foundational knowledge about globes and orreries but also a lens through which to appreciate the historical significance of these instruments. Harris’s engaging narrative invites both laypersons and professionals in the field to delve into the rich tradition of astronomy, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to comprehend the vast tapestry of human curiosity concerning the cosmos.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sharp Ink
• Release date: Jun 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9788028209681

Joseph Harris

I have a criminal and drug addiction history, which I have been free from for 39 years. My experience in these two areas is what motivated me to write, "Escape From Critical Confusion". Besides the history,I also have been working in the field of chemical dependency for 38 years and I have a bachelor's of science in counseling and human development.

Book preview

Joseph Harris

The Description and Use of the Globes and the Orrery

Sharp Ink Publishing

2024

Contact: [e-mail]

ISBN 978-80-282-0968-1

Table of Contents

THE CONTENTS.

THE INTRODUCTION , CONTAINING

SECT. I.

SECT. II.

The DESCRIPTION and USE of the Celestial and Terrestrial Globes .

SECT. I.

SECT. II.

II. Of Zones and Climates , &c.

III. Of the Poetical rising and setting of the Stars.

IV. Of the surface of the Earth, considered as it is composed of Land and Water.

SECT. III.

The DESCRIPTION of the Great Orrery , lately made by Mr. Thomas Wright , Mathematical Instrument-Maker to his late Majesty , and now by Benjamin Cole , his Successor .

Of the Motions of the Planets in general.

Of the Stations and Retrogradations of the Planets.

Of the Stations , &c. of the Inferior Planets.

Of the Annual and Diurnal Motion of the Earth, and of the increase and decrease of Days and Nights.

Of the Phases of the Moon, and of her Motion in her Orbit.

Of the Eclipses of the Sun and Moon.

Of the Eclipses of the Satellites of Jupiter.

AN INDEX OF THE Astronomical Terms Made Use of in this BOOK.

THE CONTENTS.

Table of Contents

The

Introduction

: Containing a brief Account of the Solar System, and of the Fixed Stars.

The

Description

and

Use

of the

Celestial

and

Terrestrial Globes

.

THE

INTRODUCTION,

CONTAINING

Table of Contents

A Brief Account of the

Solar System

, and of the

Fixed Stars

.

SECT. I.

Table of Contents

Of the Order and Periods of the Primary Planets revolving about the Sun; and of the Secondary Planets round their respective Primaries.

Planets.

The

Sun is placed in the midst of an immense space, wherein six opaque spherical bodies revolve about him as their center. These wandering globes are called the Planets, who, at different distances, and in different periods, perform their revolutions from West to East, in the following order:

1. ☿ Mercury is nearest to the Sun of all the planets, and performs its course in about three months. 2. ♀ Venus in about seven months and a half. 3. ♁ The Earth in a year. 4. ♂ Mars in about two years. 5. ♃ Jupiter in twelve. And lastly, ♄ Saturn, whose[1] Orbit includes all the rest, spends almost 30 years in one revolution round the Sun. The distances of the Planets from the Sun are nearly in the same proportion as they are represented in Plate 1. viz. Supposing the distance of the Earth from the Sun to be divided into 10 equal parts; that of Mercury will be about 4 of these parts; of Venus 7; of Mars 15; of Jupiter 52; and that of Saturn