1times farther from us at one time, than at another; and alſo
eth to be alwayes of an equal bigneſs, although it ought to ſhew
forty times bigger when neareſt to us, than when fartheſt off.
eth to be alwayes of an equal bigneſs, although it ought to ſhew
forty times bigger when neareſt to us, than when fartheſt off.
SAGR. But in Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury, I believe that
the differences of their apparent magnitudes, ſhould ſeem
ally to anſwer to their different diſtances.
the differences of their apparent magnitudes, ſhould ſeem
ally to anſwer to their different diſtances.
SALV. In the two Superiour ones, I have made preciſe
ſervations yearly for this twenty two years laſt paſt: In Mercury
ſervations yearly for this twenty two years laſt paſt: In Mercury
there can be no obſervation of moment made, by reaſon it
fers not it ſelf to be ſeen, ſave onely in its greateſt digrſſieons
from the Sun, in which its diſtances from the earth are inſenſibly
unequal, and thoſe differences conſequently not to be obſerved;
as alſo its mutations of figures which muſt abſolutely happen in
it, as in Venus. And if we do ſee it, it muſt of neceſſity appear
in form of a Semicircle, as Venus likewiſe doth in her greateſt
digreſſions; but its diſcus is ſo very ſmall, and its ſplendor ſo
very great, by reaſon of its vicinity to the Sun, that the virtue
of the Teleſcope doth not ſuffice to clip its treſſes or adventitious
rayes, ſo as to make them appear ſhaved round about. It
mains, that we remove that which ſeemed a great inconvenience
in the motion of the Earth, namely that all the Planets moving
about the Sun, it alone, not ſolitary as the reſt, but in company
with the Moon, and the whole Elementary Sphear, ſhould move
round about the Sun in a year; and that the ſaid Moon withal
ſhould move every moneth about the earth. Here it is neceſſary
once again to exclaim and extol the admirable perſpicacity of
pernicus, and withal to condole his misfortune, in that he is not
now alive in our dayes, when for removing of the ſeeming
ſurdity of the Earth and Moons motion in conſort we ſee
ter, as if it were another Earth, not in conſort with the Moon,
but accompanied by four Moons to rovolve about the Sun in 12.
years together, with what ever things the Orbs of the four
cæan Stars can contain within them.
Mercury
teth not of clear
obſervations.
teth not of clear
obſervations.
The difficulties
removed that ariſe
from the Earths
moving about the
Sun, not ſolitarily,
but in conſort with
the Moon.
removed that ariſe
from the Earths
moving about the
Sun, not ſolitarily,
but in conſort with
the Moon.
SALV. Why do you call the four jovial Planets, Moons?
SAGR. Such they would ſeem to be to one that ſtanding in
Jupiter ſhould behold them; for they are of themſelves dark, and
receive their light from the Sun, which is manifeſt from their
ing eclipſed, when they enter into the cone of Jupiters ſhadow:
and becauſe onely thoſe their Hemiſpheres, that look towards the
Sun are illuminated, to us that are without their Orbs, and
er to the Sun, they ſeem alwayes lucid, but to one that ſhould be
in Jupiter, they would ſhew all illuminated, at ſuch time as they
were in the upper parts of their circles; but in the parts
our, that is between Jupiter and the Sun, they would from
piter be obſerved to be horned; and in a word they would, to
Jupiter ſhould behold them; for they are of themſelves dark, and
receive their light from the Sun, which is manifeſt from their
ing eclipſed, when they enter into the cone of Jupiters ſhadow:
and becauſe onely thoſe their Hemiſpheres, that look towards the
Sun are illuminated, to us that are without their Orbs, and
er to the Sun, they ſeem alwayes lucid, but to one that ſhould be
in Jupiter, they would ſhew all illuminated, at ſuch time as they
were in the upper parts of their circles; but in the parts
our, that is between Jupiter and the Sun, they would from
piter be obſerved to be horned; and in a word they would, to