The knowledge of the heavens and the earth made easy: or, the first principles of astronomy and geography. Explain'd by the use of globes and maps with a solution of the common problems by a plain scale and compasses as well as by the globe / Written several years since for the use of learners.

  • Watts, Isaac, 1674-1748.
Date:
1728
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The knowledge of the heavens and the earth made easy: or, the first principles of astronomy and geography. Explain'd by the use of globes and maps with a solution of the common problems by a plain scale and compasses as well as by the globe / Written several years since for the use of learners. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    37/272 (page 17)
    Thefe two Days are called the Simmer ayid JVinter Solftices, becaufe the Sun fcems to hand ftill, /. e. to make the Length of Days neither increafe nor decreafe fenfiblyfor 20 Days together, XI, and XII, are Aries and Libra, or the two EquinoShalToints, where the Ecliptick cuts the Equator: When the Sun enters into thefe two Signs, the Days and Nights are equal all over the World. It enters Aries m Spring the 10th of March, which is called the Vernal Equinox, and Libra in Autumn the 12th of September, which is cal- ed the Autumnal Equinox. Thefe four Points, (viz.) two Equino&ia! and two Solfticial, divide the Ecliptick into the four Quarters of the Tear. Here let it be noted, that the twelve Con- ftellations or Signs in the Heavens obtained their Names about two thoufand Years ago or more; and at that Time the Stars that make up Aries or the Ram were in the Place where the Ecliptick afeending cuts the Equator 5 but now the Conftellation Aries is moved upward toward the Place of Cancer near thirty Degrees 5 and fo every Conftellation is moved forward in the Eclip¬ tick from the Weft toward the Eaft near thirty Degrees: fo that the Conftellation or Stars that makeup the Sign Tifces are now in the Place where Aries was, or where the Ecliptick