On the PluTiet Festa. 229 



the sixth magnitude, compared with those laid down in 

 Bode's Catalogue ; but in particular five stars, about two 

 degrees advanced in longitude, from the computed place of 

 the planet; not one of which was to be found in that Cata- 

 logue; the latitude being nearly the same : I therefore sus- 

 pected one of these to be Vesta. On the 1st of August the 

 same five stars being brought into the field of the telescope, 

 it was instantly apparent that one had changed its place, 

 southward and retrograde in right ascension : this was the 

 object of my research. I could not obtain a meridional ob- 

 servation till the 1 1th, having been disappointed by the in- 

 tervention of clouds or vapour. The following were the 

 places as observed on the meridian; from which its course 

 may be discovered. 



From the observations in last year, I have ascertained part 

 of the elements ; which agree very well with those now 

 made. 



Inclination of the orbit 7 8 20 



Ascending node - - 104 38 



Years. 



Period 3,182 



Mean radius - - - 2,163 



The eccentricity appears to be considerable, from the in- 

 creased angular motion in its orbit ; but I have not at pre- 

 .sent sufficient data to determine the quantity. However, 

 I do conjecture, that Vesta will be nearer to the Earth, about 

 one- fifth the radius of the latter, at the ensuing than at 

 the preceding opposition : which will enable astronomers, 

 viewing the planet with high jwwers, the better to ascertain 

 its diameter. 



The opposition will happen about the gih of September. 

 I am, air, your obedient servant, 



Blnckheath, S. GrOOMEUIDGE. 



August '23, 1808. 



P 3 XLir. No- 



