1tical point in which the Star is, from the Meridian; Moreover,
after a conſiderable interval of time, the operation muſt be
peated, and exact account kept of the time that paſſed, truſting
either to Dials, or to other obſervations of the Stars. Such an Olio
of Obſervations doth he ſet before you, comparing them with
ſuch another made by another obſerver in another place with
nother different inſtrument, and at another time; and from this
the Authour ſeeks to collect what would have been, the Elevations
of the Star, and Horizontal Latitudes happened in the time and
hour of the other firſt obſervations, and upon ſuch a coæquation he
in the end grounds his account. Now I refer it to you, what credit
is to be given to that which is deduced from ſuch like workings.
Moreover, I doubt not in the leaſt, but that if any one would
ture himſelf with ſuch tedious computations, he would find, as in
thoſe aforegoing, that there were more that would favour the
verſe party, than the Authour: But I think it not worth the while
to take ſo much pains in a thing, which is not, amongſt thoſe
ry ones, by us underſtood.
after a conſiderable interval of time, the operation muſt be
peated, and exact account kept of the time that paſſed, truſting
either to Dials, or to other obſervations of the Stars. Such an Olio
of Obſervations doth he ſet before you, comparing them with
ſuch another made by another obſerver in another place with
nother different inſtrument, and at another time; and from this
the Authour ſeeks to collect what would have been, the Elevations
of the Star, and Horizontal Latitudes happened in the time and
hour of the other firſt obſervations, and upon ſuch a coæquation he
in the end grounds his account. Now I refer it to you, what credit
is to be given to that which is deduced from ſuch like workings.
Moreover, I doubt not in the leaſt, but that if any one would
ture himſelf with ſuch tedious computations, he would find, as in
thoſe aforegoing, that there were more that would favour the
verſe party, than the Authour: But I think it not worth the while
to take ſo much pains in a thing, which is not, amongſt thoſe
ry ones, by us underſtood.
SAGR. I am of your Opinion in this particular: But this
neſſe being environed with ſo many intricacies, uncertainties, and
errours, upon what confidence have ſo many Aſtronomers
ly pronounced the new Star to have been ſo high?
neſſe being environed with ſo many intricacies, uncertainties, and
errours, upon what confidence have ſo many Aſtronomers
ly pronounced the new Star to have been ſo high?
SALV. Upon two ſorts of obſervations moſt plain, moſt eaſie,
and moſt certain; one only of which is more than ſufficient to aſſure
us, that it was ſcituate in the Firmament, or at leaſt by a great
diſtance ſuperiour to the Moon. One of which is taken from the
equality, or little differing inequality of its diſtances from the
Pole, aſwell whilſt it was in the loweſt part of the Meridian, as
when it was in the uppermoſt: The other is its having
ly kept the ſame diſtances from certain of the fixed Stars, adjacent
to it, and particularly from the eleventh of Caſſiopea, no more
remote from it than one degree and an half; from which two
ticulars is undoubtedly inferred, either the abſolute want of
lax, or ſuch a ſmalneſſe thereof, that it doth aſſure us with very
expeditious Calculations of its great diſtance from the Earth.
and moſt certain; one only of which is more than ſufficient to aſſure
us, that it was ſcituate in the Firmament, or at leaſt by a great
diſtance ſuperiour to the Moon. One of which is taken from the
equality, or little differing inequality of its diſtances from the
Pole, aſwell whilſt it was in the loweſt part of the Meridian, as
when it was in the uppermoſt: The other is its having
ly kept the ſame diſtances from certain of the fixed Stars, adjacent
to it, and particularly from the eleventh of Caſſiopea, no more
remote from it than one degree and an half; from which two
ticulars is undoubtedly inferred, either the abſolute want of
lax, or ſuch a ſmalneſſe thereof, that it doth aſſure us with very
expeditious Calculations of its great diſtance from the Earth.
SAGR. But theſe things, were they not known to this Author?
and if he ſaw them, what doth he ſay unto them?
and if he ſaw them, what doth he ſay unto them?
SALV. We are wont to ſay, of one that having no reply that
is able to cover his fault, produceth frivolous excuſes, cerca di
taccarſi alle funi del cielo, [He ſtrives to take hold of the Cords of
Heaven;] but this Authour runs, not to the Cords, but to the Spi
ders Web of Heaven; as you ſhall plainly ſee in our examination
of theſe two particulars even now hinted. And firſt, that which
ſheweth us the Polar diſtances of the Obſervators one by one, I
have noted down in theſe brief Calculations; For a full
is able to cover his fault, produceth frivolous excuſes, cerca di
taccarſi alle funi del cielo, [He ſtrives to take hold of the Cords of
Heaven;] but this Authour runs, not to the Cords, but to the Spi
ders Web of Heaven; as you ſhall plainly ſee in our examination
of theſe two particulars even now hinted. And firſt, that which
ſheweth us the Polar diſtances of the Obſervators one by one, I
have noted down in theſe brief Calculations; For a full
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