CHAP. VII.] 



Saturn. 



289 



it been a star, must have passed over it, whereas it preserved 

 the same apparent distance all the while from the edge of the 

 ring. (N.B. Saturn not very far from the zenith on merid.) 

 Next night, Friday, May 5, Saturn most gloriously seen : 

 quite as sharp as any copper-plate engraving, with power 

 240 and full aperture. All the five old satellites seen and 

 measured, being now on the opposite side. Now consider- 

 ably short of its greatest following elongation ; distance just 



as before ; and, as on Thursday, it was kept in view long 

 enough for Saturn to have left it behind by its own motion 

 had it been a star. The change of situation agrees perfectly 

 with the period l d 9 h , which is also the reason why it was 

 not seen May 5th, being on that night near its inferior con- 

 junction. So this is at last a thing made out. As for No. 

 Seven I have no hope of ever seeing it. 



If your eyesight will not suffer from it, do write to Bessel. 

 I am sure he will be interested by this observation, as he is 

 the only astronomer who troubles himself about the system 

 of Saturn. I shall myself write to him shortly about it, but 

 should like to have a few more observations. 



So now farewell once more, and, with many kind remem- 

 brances to all Hanoverian friends, 



Believe me, your affectionate nephew, 



J. HERSCHEL. 



