26 EXACT ASTRONOMY. 



Kepler's third law: |1 =x =^L = 8". 81 1 55074431 13, -| = 

 ^s^^so^tio^^-. 2 ^408.4 =56048428 3 «;. 



8".8ii 5 5o7443"3 °^ TJ 7T T ^u 



Also, ^-=(^) 2 -(i52.9982253ii3687) 2 = 23408.4569- 



4842835. 



We remain ignorant of the sun's actual distance till this 

 ratio is multiplied by the ascertained length of the earth's 

 equatorial radius, to the exact determination of which the 

 arc x is the key. 



Parallax is a distant object's apparent displacement, re- 

 sulting from the observer's translation to another point of 

 view, transverse to the direction of the object. Applied to 

 the arc x, the term is fallacious and misleading, because im- 

 plying its resolution by triangulation, which is the essential 

 principle of all the methods hitherto employed. The di- 

 verse results obtained are inevitably vitiated by instrumen- 

 tal and atmospheric instability. 



It is now patent that the annoying complexity of the 

 problem, so much bemoaned by the astronomers, is of their 

 own weaving and entirely foreign to its wonderful natural 

 beauty and simplicity. Finally, astronomical treatises are 

 devoted ad nauseam to glorification of the science, to the 

 apotheosis of its founders, and to mutual back-scratching 

 of its votaries. 



The deduction of solar parallax and of the earth's di- 

 mensions from the periodic times of earth and moon, 'and 

 from the acceleration of terrestrial gravity, is what is meant 

 by the dynamical resolution of the problems, and is wholly 

 original with the author. These data are positively known ; 

 all instrumental determinations being admittedly inaccurate. 



